Bid to set ablaze Magura temple

Miscreants try to set on fire a temple, and vandalise three houses and a shop of Hindus

Magura, Oct 7 (bdnews24.com) – Miscreants have tried to set on fire a temple, and vandalised three houses and a shop of Hindus in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura district.

Locals and police said the incident took place at Pachuria Sarbojanin Trimohini Durga Temple on Friday morning over an altercation during Monday's Durga Puja celebrations in the area.

General secretary of Trimohini Durga Puja Udjapan Committee Nripen Mitra told bdnews24.com that two groups of youths of Falsia Uttarpara and Charpara villages had a clash over a motorbike mishap near the Puja pavilion on Monday.

Some youths of Chaubaria village abused and threatened Puja committee president Dinesh Biswas when he had tried to clam down the two groups.

Mirta alleged that they went to Mohammadpur Upazila Puja Committee and local union council chairman Golam Azam Sabur to settle the dispute, but they did not pay any heed to it.

"Local Awami League leader Shukur Master called an arbitration at Charpara village on Friday morning. Meanwhile, a group of people, led by Aiub Ali of Chaubaria village, entered into the temple at Pachuria village and set it on fire," he added.

The district and Upazila administration officials visited the spot on information.

Mohammadpur upazila executive officer (UNO) Mohammad Shamsuddoha told reporters that legal steps would be taken against the offenders.

Magura district's acting police superintendent Mohammad Sajjadur Rahman said although the fire was doused soon after the incident, some clothes kept in the temple got burnt by then.

"We're viewing the issue with importance. The offenders will be arrested soon," the police official assured.

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