Hindu idols in 14 Thakurgaon temples desecrated overnight

A group of unidentified miscreants on Saturday night vandalized idols of Hindu goddesses in 14 temples at Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon.

Baliadangi Upazila Puja Celebration Parishad General Secretary Vidyanath Burman confirmed the matter Sunday afternoon.

On information, Deputy Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jahangir Hossain and Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad Thakurgaon District General Secretary Prabir Kumar Gupta went to the spot.

Prabir Kumar Gupta said: “On Saturday night, a miscreants vandalized nine idols in Sindurpindi area of Dhantala union, four in Collegepara area of Paria union and 14 idols in a temple in Sahbajpur Nathpara area of Charol union. Most of the idols are from roadside temples.”

Dhaka Tribune

Thakurgaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jahangir Hossain said: “We are trying to identify those involved in the incident. The truth will be revealed after investigation.”

Baliadangi police station Officer-in-charge (OC) Khairul Anam said: “We believe that these incidents took place between Saturday night to Sunday morning.”

Vidyanath Burman, general secretary of upazila puja celebration parishad, said: “The miscreants have broken the arms, legs and heads of the idols. Some idols were broken and thrown into the pond. We want the administration to investigate the incident properly and arrest the culprits.”

Deputy Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman said: “We have visited the incident site and are investigating the matter seriously.”

Dhaka Tribune

Tapan Kumar Ghosh, general secretary of the district puja celebration parishad, visited the Haribasar temple in Sindurpindi area around 4pm. At that time, he said: “This temple is big and traditional. Many people come here regularly. All the idols in this temple have been vandalized. This is very sad and appalling. We want a fair investigation into this incident.”

When asked about this matter, chairman of Baliadangi upazila parishad Md Ali Aslam Jewel said: “The idols of the temples which were vandalized were thrown unsafely on the side of the road.”

Kashinath Singh, a resident of Sindurpindi area, said: “We are in a state of panic. Those involved in this incident should be arrested quickly.”