SRINAGAR: Authorities suspended mobile internet in Jammu following violent protests over the alleged desecration of an ancient temple by a "mentally disturbed" man.

According to a senior police officer, the incident took place on Tuesday at around 4: 30 pm in Roop Nagar area of Jammu when a mentally disturbed man vandalised Aap Shambo Temple in the locality, which sparked off protests across the city.

"During the protest, two police buses were torched by mob who also pelted stones at the police. As a precautionary measure, we have decided to suspend mobile internet services till normalcy returns to the area”, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said.

Singh said police used teargas shells and baton-charge to disperse the menacing mob which had assembled outside the Janipur police station yesterday. "Top police and civil officials are monitoring the situation since last night and the decision to suspend the mobile internet services was taken to stop any further flare-up of the situation,” Singh said.

According to police, the 'mentally disturbed' man involved vandalisation of the temple has been arrested and investigations have been started. "The accused man has been brought to the Janipur police station. As many as four dozen people have been detained as a precautionary measure," police said.

The issue created ripples in the J&K assembly on Wednesday with the Opposition National Conference MLA from Jammu's Nagrota constituency, Devender Rana, as well as other members urging the government to make a statement on the issue.

Later, J&K's Rural Development Minister, Abdul Haq Khan told the House that the accused identified as Yasir, son of Khair, resident of Shiva, Doda has been arrested. He said the police was stopped by locals and priest of the temple from discharging their duties when the incident happened.

"A large number of locals and the priest started protesting in front of the Janipur police station. They raised slogans, pelted stones and set on fire two Police School buses. Three police personnel including SHO of Janipur police station received injuries while trying to disperse the mob," Khan said.

He said two cases under FIR No. 51/2016 (U/S 295 RPC) and FIR No. 52/2016 (U/S 435/147/148/149/341/427/336/332 RPC) have been registered at Janipur police station. "Some accused persons have been arrested so far. The preliminary investigations suggest that the accused person who entered the temple is a lunatic patient,” the minister said.