KATHUA, INDIA, April 28, 2001: Two rival groups, the Shiv Sena and Mandi Sher Singh, who have been fighting over the control of old Ashapurni Mandir, have been debarred from the religious place by police. The situation escalated to violence on April 28 where 8 people were injured after a clash of swords and rods. Meanwhile, the local people have appealed to authorities to set up a trust to run the affairs of the temple so that it can be re-opened for worship. They also advocated that the two rival groups not be allowed on the premises or allowed to dictate the affairs of the temple in any capacity.
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