A Hindu temple was attacked and vandalised in Panchagarh's Atwari upazila early yesterday, causing panic to spread among the local Hindus.
The attackers, who could not be identified, destroyed a dome, which was part of Sree Sree Hari temple's outer structure.
The temple is located at Molani area in the upazila’s Aloakhoa union.
Police said the attack might have been an attempt to create panic in the area, adding that none was arrested in this connection.
Built in 1961, the temple measures 10ft in length and 12ft in width. It has a large dome at the centre on the roof and four other domes on four sides. The vandals destroyed one of the four domes.
Siren Chandra Roy, a Hindu devotee, saw the damage done to the temple after he went there in the morning to offer prayers. He then informed the locals.
Local officials and police, including Panchagarh Additional Superintendent of Police Din Mohammad, Atwari police station Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam, Atwari upazila Chairman Abdur Rahman Abdar and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Rafa Mohammad Arif, visited the scene.
Bimal Chandra, general secretary of the temple committee, said the attack was made at some point in the late hours of night.
President of the temple Hirendra Nath Roy called on the police to arrest the attackers within 24 hours.
Atwari police station OC Shah Alam said the attackers would be arrested and subjected to legal action.
The additional superintendent of police said a probe into the attack had been launched.
“We are also investigating if the attack was an attempt to divert people’s attention from the recent murder of a Hindu priest in Debiganj.
“We are hopeful about solving the crime soon and the attackers will also be arrested,” added Din Mohammad.
As part of tightening security measures, police were deployed in the temple area.
The local Hindu community called for subjecting the perpetrators to exemplary punishment.
