Buddhist temple destroyed

Criminals destroyed Jatobon Buddhist Temple and a seven-foot-tall Buddha statue at remote Kukichara village in Guimara upazila on Monday night, a day before the Probarana Purnima ceremony.

Following the incident, grievance and panic gripped the local Buddhists who were making preparations to celebrate the important religious ceremony.

Chathowai Chowdhury, chairman of Hafchari Union Parishad, said he cannot say who were involved in it.

Seeking anonymity, a resident of Kukichara village said some Bangali settlers committed the crime.

The Buddhist temple and the Buddha statue were constructed six months ago.

Gias Uddin, officer in charge of Guimara Police Station, said, “We heard the incident and police visited the spot.”