05-12-2008, 03:33 AM
<b>Vandals Torch Hindu Temple In Lautoka</b>
(Fiji Times)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Vandals set fire and destroyed a major Hindu temple in the Fiji city of Lautoka, </b>the Fiji Times reports.
The 60-year-old Field 40 Gangaiyamman Kovil Temple, which serves 3,000 devotees, was apparently torched by vandals. Temple President Rajend Mani said this was the first time in 1987 that the temple has been desecrated.
Divisional Crime Officer Western, Superintendent Vijay Singh, said this was the second crime against a Hindu temple in Lautoka this week. <b>He said thieves stole statues and other items were stolen last Wednesday from the Rifle Range Mariamman Temple.</b>
Police had yet to determine the financial cost of the Field 40 Gangaiyamman Kovil Temple fire.
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HINDUS in the country's second city were in shock after one of their largest temples was looted and torched early yesterday morning.
Devotees of the Field 40 Gangaiyamman Kovil Temple, in Lautoka, could not hold back their tears as they went through the charred remains of the temple built more than 60 years ago.
Temple president Rajend Mani still could not come to terms with the act of sacrilege, saying it had shattered the local community.
Mr Mani said the break-in was the first time someone had desecrated the temple since 1987.
In 1987, he said, those who broke in stole offerings and damaged religious statues before leaving.
He said yesterday's incident was too much to comprehend because the vandals not only broke into the temple but destroyed it by setting it alight.
He said trying to replace all the religious statues that were damaged in the fire would be hard because each statue costs about $400.
Mr Mani, who lives 30 metres from the temple, said he was alerted by a neighbour at 5am.
He said by the time he reached the temple, flames had already engulfed the building.
The temple committee met yesterday morning where it was agreed members postpone their annual firewalking ceremony scheduled for June 9.
The temple hosts more than 3000 worshippers in Lautoka.
Mr Mani said the Hindu community in Lautoka would be affected by destruction.
While police and fire officers sifted through the ruins for clues, the cost of damage had yet to be determined.
Lautoka Mayor Rohit Kumar condemned the act, saying it was a cowardly act.
Mr Kumar said the vandals not only broke into a place of worship but showed total disrespect by setting it on fire.
Mr Kumar said no religion would condone such actions and those responsible had to reflect on their poor, disrespectful and selfish judgement.
Divisional Crime Officer Western, Superintendent Vijay Singh pleaded with members of the public for any information regarding the incident.
SP Singh said they were very concerned because this was the second act of sacrilege in Lautoka within a week.
On Wednesday morning, members of the Rifle Range Mariamman Temple opened it to find that several religious statues and other items were removed.
SP Singh said while they have arrested a suspect allegedly involved in the Rifle Range incident, they were still searching for those responsible for the recent case in Field 40.
SP Singh said they were very concerned and they needed the public's assistance to apprehend the suspects.
Attempts to contact the Methodist Church of Fiji's Secretary General Reverend Ame Tugaue yesterday were unsuccessful.
However, earlier in the week, Reverend Tugaue said that they believed that any act of sacrilege or desecration was not right.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
(Fiji Times)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Vandals set fire and destroyed a major Hindu temple in the Fiji city of Lautoka, </b>the Fiji Times reports.
The 60-year-old Field 40 Gangaiyamman Kovil Temple, which serves 3,000 devotees, was apparently torched by vandals. Temple President Rajend Mani said this was the first time in 1987 that the temple has been desecrated.
Divisional Crime Officer Western, Superintendent Vijay Singh, said this was the second crime against a Hindu temple in Lautoka this week. <b>He said thieves stole statues and other items were stolen last Wednesday from the Rifle Range Mariamman Temple.</b>
Police had yet to determine the financial cost of the Field 40 Gangaiyamman Kovil Temple fire.
--------------
HINDUS in the country's second city were in shock after one of their largest temples was looted and torched early yesterday morning.
Devotees of the Field 40 Gangaiyamman Kovil Temple, in Lautoka, could not hold back their tears as they went through the charred remains of the temple built more than 60 years ago.
Temple president Rajend Mani still could not come to terms with the act of sacrilege, saying it had shattered the local community.
Mr Mani said the break-in was the first time someone had desecrated the temple since 1987.
In 1987, he said, those who broke in stole offerings and damaged religious statues before leaving.
He said yesterday's incident was too much to comprehend because the vandals not only broke into the temple but destroyed it by setting it alight.
He said trying to replace all the religious statues that were damaged in the fire would be hard because each statue costs about $400.
Mr Mani, who lives 30 metres from the temple, said he was alerted by a neighbour at 5am.
He said by the time he reached the temple, flames had already engulfed the building.
The temple committee met yesterday morning where it was agreed members postpone their annual firewalking ceremony scheduled for June 9.
The temple hosts more than 3000 worshippers in Lautoka.
Mr Mani said the Hindu community in Lautoka would be affected by destruction.
While police and fire officers sifted through the ruins for clues, the cost of damage had yet to be determined.
Lautoka Mayor Rohit Kumar condemned the act, saying it was a cowardly act.
Mr Kumar said the vandals not only broke into a place of worship but showed total disrespect by setting it on fire.
Mr Kumar said no religion would condone such actions and those responsible had to reflect on their poor, disrespectful and selfish judgement.
Divisional Crime Officer Western, Superintendent Vijay Singh pleaded with members of the public for any information regarding the incident.
SP Singh said they were very concerned because this was the second act of sacrilege in Lautoka within a week.
On Wednesday morning, members of the Rifle Range Mariamman Temple opened it to find that several religious statues and other items were removed.
SP Singh said while they have arrested a suspect allegedly involved in the Rifle Range incident, they were still searching for those responsible for the recent case in Field 40.
SP Singh said they were very concerned and they needed the public's assistance to apprehend the suspects.
Attempts to contact the Methodist Church of Fiji's Secretary General Reverend Ame Tugaue yesterday were unsuccessful.
However, earlier in the week, Reverend Tugaue said that they believed that any act of sacrilege or desecration was not right.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->