The Hindu temple vandalized in Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan district of Punjab province has been restored by the local administration and will be open to worshipers soon, members of the Hindu community said on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old temple to Lord Ganesha in Bhong town - some 590 km from Lahore – was vandalized by a mob last Wednesday following which the Hindus fled from the area, Geo TV reported.

“The Ganesh temple has been restored,” Dharminder Kumar, a Hindu journalist and activist who lives in the area, told Geo TV. “The only thing left to restore are the broken idols,  work on which is expected to begin on August 15.”

Besides carrying out the repairs, a boundary wall has been constructed outside the temple and plans put in place to provide security to worshippers.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the attack and directed the inspector general police to arrest the culprits. He also promised to restore the temple.
Till now, 70-100 people who vandalized the temple have been arrested, Kumar said.

“But we have seen that in most cases [where temples are attacked], 100 people are arrested but only five people are punished. Those who are usually poor.”

Kumar said the Hindus who left their homes are still afraid to return, fearing another attack.

Pakistan’s apex court had taken suo motu notice of the incident saying it had damaged the country’s reputation at the international level and censured the Punjab police for failing to protect the religious place.

(SAM)