Sources said the gang entered the temple in Dassara Kalikhola area of the town at about 3:30am, set the image afire and left the spot. The image was partially damaged before the neighbours rushed to the temple and extinguished the blaze.

Protesting the sacrilege, Manikganj District Puja Udjapan (celebration) Committee took out a procession in town at about 11:00am and held a rally in front of Manikganj Press Club.

The rally was addressed by Dolan Goswami, secretary of the committee, Rajat Shubhra Gosh, Gopal Shaha, Shushanta Mitra and Mohan. The speakers condemned the attack on the temple and demanded punishment to the guilty.

The puja udjapan committee will hoist a black flag atop the temple and take out a procession wearing black badges in town today. It will also hold a protest rally and form a human chain in front of the local press club tomorrow.