Unidentified miscreants damage idol at Faridpur temple

Unidentified miscreants vandalised a Shiva idol at Bamundi Sarbojonin Kali Temple in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur last night, marking the second such incident in the area within days.

According to local residents, the temple is believed to be nearly a century old. Its entrance is secured with an iron grille. It is suspected that unidentified individuals inserted a bamboo pole or a similar object through the grille and struck the idol, damaging its head.

Temple priest Binoy Krishna Biswas discovered the damage at around 5:30am today when he arrived to perform a ritual. He later informed the temple committee and local residents.

Ranjan Sarkar, president of the Bamundi Sarbojonin Kali Temple Committee, said police were informed immediately after the incident and subsequently visited the site.

The latest incident came just two days after another act of vandalism at a Kali temple in Bamundi Bazar. Locals alleged that miscreants attacked the temple sometime on Monday night and damaged the head of the Kali idol there.

Nirod Chakraborty, president of the Bamundi Bazar Committee, said no case had been filed over the earlier incident.

"I do not know who was responsible for the vandalism. Since the perpetrators were unknown, I was unsure against whom a case should be filed," he said.

However, locals alleged that after the matter was reported to Madhukhali Police Station, police advised them not to escalate the issue and suggested that the damaged idol be immersed without delay. Following the advice, locals immersed the idol on Tuesday evening.

They alleged that had police taken stronger action following the first incident, the second act of vandalism could have been prevented.

Madhukhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sukdeb Roy rejected the allegation. "Why would I ask anyone to suppress the incident or refuse to take a case?" he said.

The OC added that a case could still be filed over the vandalism at the market temple and that legal action was being taken over the latest incident at Bamundi Sarbojonin Kali Temple.

He said those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.