Meanwhile, Advocate Rana Dasgupta, leader of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council, called a half-day strike on Saturday in Chattogram.
A group allegedly attempted to breach the puja venue gate at JM Sen Hall, while throwing brickbats and tearing down festival banners after finishing Jummah prayers at Andarkilla Shahi mosque on Friday.
“Immersion begins from 11 am every year. But the government directed us to get out of the pavilion after 2:30 pm this time around due to the Friday prayers,” said Ashish Bhattacharya, president of Chattogram Metropolitan Puja Celebration Council.
“Is there any assurance of safety on the streets when our pavillions are being attacked?” he said.
Following the Jummah prayers, a group of people held a meeting at the gate of Andarkilla Shahi mosque and then marched towards JM Sen Hall in a procession, according to eyewitnesses.
The commotion created outside triggered panic inside the venue where women of different ages were preparing for the immersion of the idols.
The puja committee members of JM Sen Hall then took position on the street, obstructing traffic.
Around 3 pm, Advocate Dasgupta arrived at the JM Sen Hall intersection and expressed solidarity with the puja celebration council.
Chattogram City Awami League General Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin arrived there at 3 pm to survey the situation.
Declining to comment on the attack, SI Bijoy Basak of Chattogram police (south) said they were “observing” the situation.