In a disturbing incident in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, Bangladesh, unidentified assailants vandalized statues and set fire to a Hindu temple in the early hours of Sunday. The attack took place at the Sarbojanin Sri Sri Mahashmashan Kali and Shiva Mandir, located in the hilly area of Jungle Salimpur under Salimpur Union. According to local sources and police, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday night.
The attackers reportedly entered the temple premises, dragged the Kali statues outside, vandalized it in an adjacent plot, and then set the tin-roofed temple structure on fire. Law enforcement officers from the Fouzdarhat police outpost visited the site following reports from the temple committee, who later filed a General Diary (GD) at the Sitakunda Police Station.
Amar Majumder, president of the temple committee, stated that the structure was completely gutted by the fire. He noted that the attackers removed the statues from inside the temple, smashed it outside on nearby land, and then proceeded to ignite the temple. On Sunday morning, members of the committee discovered the temple reduced to ashes and promptly informed the police.
Ajay Majumder, the committee’s secretary, explained that the temple had been built on government-owned (khas) land over two decades ago and is widely known among locals as the “Mahashmashan Kali and Shiva Temple.” The location serves as a traditional cremation ground for the local Hindu community, with the temple situated just above the cremation area on a hillside.
He added that there had been no known land disputes or community tensions in the area. Recently, construction had begun to convert the temple into a permanent structure, and concrete pillars were already installed. The timing of the attack, according to Majumder, coincided with this phase of development.
Due to heavy rain on the night of the incident, most locals did not immediately notice the attack. However, residents later heard sounds of statues being smashed, which raised the alarm. Eyewitnesses reported that more than a hundred individuals had stormed the temple grounds during the night, set the building on fire, and attempted to construct a boundary wall around the property. The attackers fled the scene before police arrived.
Fouzdarhat Police Outpost Inspector Sohel Rana stated that preliminary investigations suggest the attack was linked to an attempt to illegally seize the temple land. He confirmed that a number of individuals have been identified in connection with the incident and that further investigations are underway to facilitate arrests.
Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mojibur Rahman said law enforcement responded promptly to the scene and are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. Senior police officials have also visited the location to assess the situation firsthand.
On Monday, Sitakunda Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Fakhrul Islam also visited the site and spoke with local residents. He acknowledged the sensitive nature of the case and confirmed that the administration has launched efforts to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. According to local accounts, the motive appears to involve plans to illegally occupy the temple land.
The Jungle Salimpur area is home to approximately 300 Hindu families and hosts five temples. The targeted temple is situated in Ward 1, Sector 2 of the Salimpur Union. Locals expressed shock, noting that there were no visible signs of conflict or tension leading up to the incident that might have foreshadowed such violence.
The General Diary filed by the temple committee states that between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., the attackers dismantled the tin structure of the temple and moved it to a neighboring plot before setting fire to its bamboo pillars and fences. The complaint reiterates that there is no known dispute with anyone in the area and alleges that the attack may be part of a broader attempt to grab the land.
The incident has caused significant concern and anxiety within the local Hindu community. Authorities have increased patrols in the area and assured residents that the case is being thoroughly investigated. As of now, no arrests have been made, but officials have stated that they are working to apprehend those responsible as soon as possible.
Given the gravity and sensitivity of the attack, local residents and community leaders are calling for a transparent investigation and adequate protection of religious sites to prevent such incidents in the future.
Publication Date: 03 June, 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: prothomalo, bdnews24
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