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Rajasthan government officials on Wednesday said they have managed to defuse a tense situation in the Asind town of Rajasthan, following the demolition of an ancient mosque and the installation of an idol at the site on Friday last week.
After a marathon five-hour discussion between the leaders of the Hindu and Muslim communities, the authorities managed to persuade the former to remove an idol of Lord Hanuman, which the Muslims said was installed surreptitiously at the site.
The state government has described the situation in Asind as 'under control' and said that a large police force has been deployed as a precautionary measure.
Trouble had erupted in the town on Friday when a 300-strong mob demolished the 16th century mosque built by the Mughal emperor Akbar and installed an idol in its place.
The mosque had always existed within the premises of the Sawai Bhoj temple.
The Sawai Bhoj authorities have assured the state government that they will not conduct any more demolitions within the temple.
The assurance was given by Harjiram Gurjar, a member of the Sawai Bhoj temple trust.
"That the two communities could sit across the table to amicably resolve the issue is a continuation of a 400-year old tradition of coexistence," said Kavita Shrivastav, a member of the Peoples' Union for Civil Liberties, after the meeting.
Indo-Asian News Service
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