Led by a man identified locally as Sajib Sheikh, 8-10 men, aged around 18-20 years, with sticks launched the attack at around midnight on Monday, leaving the idols of Durga, Sarswati, Kartik, and Asur desecrated.
Sajib is the son of local influential Soru Sheikh from Raghunathpur Uttarpara.
Gita Bishwas, a priest of the temple, said: “I came out of my house hearing chaos and saw 8-10 youths running with sticks. Some women and girls took shelter in my house to save life.
“At one point, the youths entered the temple and went on a rampage.”
General Secretary of the temple committee Ripon Bishwas said that they were shocked and aggrieved. “We demand exemplary punishment of the attackers who have hurt our sentiment,” he added.
Our Gopalganj correspondent reports that the alleged attack took place after a group had been removed from a local school for harassing women.
A human chain was formed in Gopalganj's Raghunathpur on Tuesday, condemning an attack on a Hindu temple
Monoj Shaha/Dhaka TribuneIn protest, the local Hindus paraded to the town in a procession and formed a human chain in front of the Press Club Tuesday noon, demanding stern punishment of the perpetrators.
Gopalganj Assistant Superintendent of Police Aminul Islam visited the spot and assured the locals of taking legal action identifying the attackers.
The cultural programme was organised on Raghunathpur Dakkhinpara Primary School ground on the occasion of Kali Puja Monday night. A group of youths who also attended the event were seen harassing women on their way back home in the night.
The men accompanying the women protested the harassment and rebuked them. The youths came back in the midnight and launched the attack.
