Additional forces were deployed in Gonde village and adjoining areas in Pratapgarh district after a 'puja pandal' was found burnt down. The pandal was installed by the villagers for a special puja and yajna at the ancient Goddess Ashtabhuja Devi temple and was found completely burnt down on Tuesday.

As the news spread like wildfire in the village, scores of villagers, who had planned to organise a 'pran pratishtha' event at the temple, gathered on its campus demanding action against the miscreants responsible for burning down the puja pandal. Senior police and administrative officers rushed to the spot and additional forces were deployed at 2 a.m.