Bangladesh: Unknown miscreants destroy 14 Hindu temples in Thakurgaon

The attacks took place between Saturday night and Sunday dawn at different villages in Dhantala, Charol and Paria Unions in the Upazila, Baliadangi Police Station chief Khairul Anam told bdnews24.

Bidyanath Barman, general secretary of Baliandani Upazila Puja Celebration Council, told the news portal that nine temples in Dhantala, one in Charol and four in Paria were attacked.

“The hands, feet and heads of the idols were smashed to bits. Some were broken and left in the pond,” he said.

Md Mahbubur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Thakurgaon district, and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jahangir Hossain went to inspect the sites on Sunday morning.

“After taking a look, it appeared to me that the act was intentional. It was done to disrupt the peaceful situation of the country,” the police officer said, vowing to identify and make those responsible face justice.

Tapan Kumar Ghosh, general secretary of the district Puja celebration council, also visited the temples along with local Hindu people.

Upon arriving near the Haribasar Temple in Sindurpindi, he said: “This temple is large and a traditional one. Many people regularly visit this place. All the idols here have been smashed. This is tragic and frightening.”

Police have been deployed to the temples.