11 Hindu idols desecrated in Kishoreganj

Miscreants desecrate idols of Hindu god and goddess at a puja mandap in Batrish area of Kishoreganj town early Thursday. Photo: Star

At least 11 Hindu idols at five puja mandaps were desecrated by miscreants in Kishoreganj town early today ahead of the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the country’s Hindu community.

The criminals damaged heads and hands of 11 idols – four of Goddess Durga goddess, two of God Ganesh, two of God Kartik and other three idols of five puja mandaps in Batrish area of the town, reports our Kishoreganj correspondent.

Onirban Puja Songho President Monoranjon Sen said the Puja mandaps were surrounded by bamboo fences.

“This incident makes us frightened. We want security during the festival of the Durga puja,” he said.

Artisans at the Mandaps were engaged in making the idols till midnight. But some miscreants desecrated the idols in between around 3:00am and 4:00am, locals said.

Kishoreganj Puja Udjapon Parishad President Bijoy Krisna Roy said, “We demand exemplary punishment to the criminals who have damaged the idols.”

On information, members of police and Rapid Action Battalion rushed to the spots.

Kishoreganj Police superintendent Md Anwar Hossain Khan, Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner SM Alam, and Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Subroto Kumer Paul also visited the puja mandaps.

SP Khan said they have strengthened security measures after the incident in the area. Criminals are yet to be identified, he added.