Tension has spread in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah district after idols at a Hindu temple were vandalized in the early hours of Tuesday, raising questions over whether the act was the result of a planned conspiracy or the mental instability of the accused.
The Incident
The attack took place at the Haritala Sarbojonin Puja Mandir in Fulhuri village, just ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. Although no one witnessed the vandalism directly, CCTV footage captured the entire episode.
The video shows Monjer Biswas (50), a local resident, entering the temple in the final hours of the night. He was seen systematically breaking the heads of six idols—including those of Asura, Kartik, and Saraswati—and later disposing of the broken parts in nearby water.
Temple Committee’s Statement
Bikash Kumar Biswas, president of the temple committee, said:
“Our volunteers guarded the temple until 4 a.m. The vandalism occurred immediately after they left. By morning, around 9 a.m., we discovered the idols broken.”
General Secretary Tapas Biswas added:
“Monjer regularly visits temples where rituals are performed. He often came to our temple, ate meals, and participated in gatherings. Now, whether this act is a result of his mental instability or part of a deliberate conspiracy remains unclear. We have formally requested law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation.”
Police Action and Investigation
According to Shailkupa Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Masum Khan, law enforcement identified the accused using CCTV footage and subsequently detained him.
“The investigation is ongoing, and legal procedures are being followed,” OC Khan told reporters.
Following the incident, Khulna Range DIG Md. Rezaul Haque, Jhenaidah Superintendent of Police Mohammad Manzur Morshed, and Additional District Magistrate ABM Khalid Siddique visited the site and held discussions with members of the local Hindu community.
Security Measures Strengthened
Immediately after the incident, DIG Rezaul Haque ordered the tightening of security at all temples across the district. He also assured the local Hindu community that new idols would be constructed quickly so that Durga Puja celebrations could continue on schedule.
Publication Date: 23 September, 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: prothomalo, kalerkantho, bdnews24, thefinancialpostbd
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