Over two days, miscreants vandalised eight idols in three Hindu temples in Bangladesh's Mymensingh and Dinajpur districts, news agency PTI reported, while citing local media reports on Friday.
Police arrested one person in connection with the incidents in Mymensingh. The attacks are part of a series of incidents targeting the minority Hindu community in the country
In Mymensingh's Haluaghat sub-district, idols at two temples were vandalised in separate incidents on Thursday and Friday. Abul Khayer, the officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station, stated that two idols at the Bonderpara Temple in Shakuai union were damaged early on Friday. "No case has been filed, and no arrests have been made in this incident so far," Khayer said.
In another case, an idol at Polashkanda Kali Temple in Beeldora union was vandalised early on Thursday. Police later arrested Alal Uddin, a 27-year-old resident of Polashkanda village, over his alleged involvement. "During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime," Khayer said. The suspect was presented before a Mymensingh court on Friday and was sent to jail.
In Dinajpur's Birganj sub-district, five idols were vandalised at the Jharbari Shashan Kali Temple on Tuesday. The incident came to light on Thursday. "We’ve never seen such an act here," said Janardan Roy, president of the temple committee. Officer-in-Charge Abdul Gafur said an investigation is underway.
The recent incidents come amid a rise in attacks on Hindu temples and properties in Bangladesh following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. Last week, authorities arrested four individuals for vandalising a Hindu temple and attacking Hindu homes and shops in Sunamganj district.
Tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated over the attacks on the Hindu minority. India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, raised concerns about the safety and welfare of minorities during meetings with Bangladeshi officials in Dhaka.
Bangladesh has acknowledged 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities, mainly Hindus, since Hasina’s removal from power. These incidents have further strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
