Idols vandalised in two districts

An idol of Goddess Durga in Gaibandha and one of Buddha in Bandarban were vandalised .

Our Gaibandha correspondent says idols of Goddess Durga were vandalised by some unknown miscreants at Maa Bhabani Durga temple in Kushtari village under Sundarganj upazila yesterday.

Puja Udjapan Committee leaders recovered a letter by New Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) saying they carried out the attack.

Officer-in-Charge of Sundarganj Police Station Israil Hossain said steps would be taken against the miscreants involved, and assured the people there would be strict security measures during the festival.

Officer-in-Charge of Lama Police Station Md Iqbal Hossain, quoting locals, said criminals entered a Buddhist temple by breaking the door on Monday and vandalised a statue of Buddha, reports our Bandarban correspondent.

On information, police visited the temple in Banfur area under Lama upazila of the district and talked to the local leaders of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad (BHBCOP) and public representatives.

Meanwhile, indigenous people and local leaders of BHBCOP formed a human chain in Lama upazilla yesterday, protesting the incident.

Later, they submitted a memorandum to the prime minster through Lama upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

Speakers at the rally said BNP leader Zaker Hossain Majumdar, also chairman of Fashiakhali Union Parishad, was behind the attack. Zaker rejected the allegation and said members of the parishad illegally occupied his land.