Bomb blasts near Kantaji Temple
At least six people were injured in an explosion next to the 18th century Kantaji Mandir of Dinajpur early yesterday when spectators were watching jatra (folk theatre).
Police detained seven people for interrogation and termed it a “planned attack” but could not tell what the motive was behind the blast.
The attack took place in Kaharol upazila at a time when the country is reeling from the shock of repeated attacks on minority Shia Muslims and Christian pastors.
Following yesterday's incident, Kaharol Police Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mazid was withdrawn last night, said Dinajpur Superintendent of Police Ruhul Amin. He, however, did not say the reasons behind the move.
A bomb went off around 1:00am when artistes were performing on stage at Volanath Opera Pandal set up as part of a month-long Hindu festival known as raaspurnima mela organised by the temple, said police and victims. The site was about 500 yards from the temple.
Some 10 to 15 policemen, including the OC, were present there when the explosion occurred.
The injured were rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.
They are Saidur, 25, Abdul Jabbar, 28, Uma Kanta Das, 22, Sadhan Gopal, 35, Mosaddek, 23, and Mithu, 30.
The condition of Saidur and Sadhan was critical, a doctor of the hospital told The Daily Star wishing not to be named.
Injured Mithu at the hospital said he had heard a big bang while enjoying jatra at the pandal.
“After a few seconds, I felt I was unable to walk as my left leg was critically injured,” he said.
All the patients received splinters, said the doctor.
Nurul Amin, superintendent of Dinajpur police, said the motive behind the attack was not clear.
Asked if the attack was carried out by militants, the SP said they were investigating the incident.
“It was a minor incident,” said Sujan Sarkar, assistant superintendent of police at the scene.
A circuit like mobile motherboard and an electric wire were found at the spot, which might have been used to cause the the explosion, he added.
The SP said the primary investigation had concluded that the bomb was homemade but the investigators were not sure whether any mobile device had been used as trigger.
Amalendu Bhoumik, a member of the temple's governing body, said, “We are shocked by the grisly attack.”
The temple has been organising raaspurnima mela since 1756. People from different parts of the country and abroad join the festival. Violence was unprecedented, said Amalendu.
“The government must find out the culprits and give them exemplary punishment,” he added.
The authorities closed the jatra following the attack. However, the raaspurnima mela would go on.
Meanwhile, a case was filed with Kaharol Police Station against some unnamed criminals, according to the SP.
Rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra yesterday expressed deep concern over the attack and hoped that the government would find the real perpetrators and take proper actions so that such incidents do not recur.
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