CLEMMONS, N.C. - A sign board for a planned Hindu temple here was fired at, leaving more than 60 holes, that prompted authorities to probe the incident. The incident, which has shocked the Indian-American community, happened sometime between July 4 and July 11, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said in a report. The Sheriff’s office is investigating the incident in which someone fired a shotgun at a sign for a...
planned Hindu temple, leaving more than 60 holes in the sign, it said. A deputy found empty shell casings near the sign that were consistent with bird shot being fired two to three times from a shotgun, Winston-Salem Journal quoted Chief Deputy Brad Stanley of the Sheriff’s Office as saying. The sign suffered a damage of $200. Investigators have no leads or suspects, Stanley said. The Om Hindu Organization of North Carolina is planning to build a 3,600-square-foot temple in Clemmons and has bought 7.6 acres at the site.
“We as American people are fighting hate, standing up to promote tolerance, respect and inclusion,” Om Hindu said in a statement on July 18. “We have no doubts that in long run we will be able to practice our religion and live peacefully in this region and work towards a pluralistic society.” The group also said it was moving forward with its plan for the temple.
The sheriff’s office does not have any information that organization was targeted because of its faith, Stanley said. “It appears just to be vandalism,” he said, adding that police have increased its patrols in the area. Manujunath Shamanna, a member of the organization’s board of directors, said that his group first noticed the vandalised sign when its members visited the site on July 11. The organization then reported it to the sheriff’s office. “It is very disappointing,” Shamanna said of the damaged sign. “It could be some kids playing.” About 500 Indian families live in Forsyth County.
The vandalism will not affect the organization’s plan to build its temple, Shamanna said. Former Clemmons Mayor John Bost offered his apologies for the incident in a post on the Journal’s Facebook page.
The Reverend Christopher Burcham, pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church, said he and his wife were disappointed when they noticed the vandalized sign. His church is about 275 metres from the site of the planned Hindu temple.
“We as American people are fighting hate, standing up to promote tolerance, respect and inclusion,” Om Hindu said in a statement on July 18. “We have no doubts that in long run we will be able to practice our religion and live peacefully in this region and work towards a pluralistic society.” The group also said it was moving forward with its plan for the temple.
The sheriff’s office does not have any information that organization was targeted because of its faith, Stanley said. “It appears just to be vandalism,” he said, adding that police have increased its patrols in the area. Manujunath Shamanna, a member of the organization’s board of directors, said that his group first noticed the vandalised sign when its members visited the site on July 11. The organization then reported it to the sheriff’s office. “It is very disappointing,” Shamanna said of the damaged sign. “It could be some kids playing.” About 500 Indian families live in Forsyth County.
The vandalism will not affect the organization’s plan to build its temple, Shamanna said. Former Clemmons Mayor John Bost offered his apologies for the incident in a post on the Journal’s Facebook page.
The Reverend Christopher Burcham, pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church, said he and his wife were disappointed when they noticed the vandalized sign. His church is about 275 metres from the site of the planned Hindu temple.