Durga idols vandalised at Gazipur temple days before Puja festival

At least five to six idols have been vandalised, an official of the temple committee says

Several idols of Hindu goddess Durga have been vandalised at the Kashimpur Crematorium Temple in Gazipur ahead of Durga Puja, according to police and temple authorities.

The incident took place at the Agragami Jubo Sangha Sarbajanin Durga Puja Mandap on Wednesday afternoon, said Moniruzzaman, chief of Kashimpur Police Station.

Prabir Datta, president of the temple committee, said the pandal had been covered with tarpaulin after work was completed earlier in the day.

“In the afternoon, someone entered the pandal and vandalised five or six idols. They damaged the others. We are concerned about the matter,” he said.

Members of the temple committee said it was raining on Wednesday, prompting craftsmen and workers to pause their work.

When they returned in the evening, they found the idols damaged.

Policemen later inspected the scene.

Moniruzzaman said the unfinished idols had been left under cover, and investigators believed the damage may have occurred during an attempted theft.

“The work on the idols is not finished yet. They said that they will fix them,” Moniruzzaman said.

“The temple authorities have not yet filed a complaint in this regard. Legal action is being taken.”