Idol Vandalized at Temple in Kaliakoir

Local Correspondent

An idol at a temple in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir upazila was vandalized overnight.

The incident took place at the Pathabali Temple in the Boruitoli area late Wednesday night, according to locals and police.

Residents and police sources said the temple, located in Boruitoli Bot Tola of Sholta Toli Union’s Ward No. 3, housed an idol of “Burima.” The priest performed prayers Wednesday evening and locked the temple before leaving. On Thursday morning, a local resident passing by discovered the idol in a damaged state.

Sukomal Chakraborty, the temple priest, said the idol was intact during the evening prayers but found vandalized when he arrived in the morning. He believes the act occurred overnight.

Saiful Alam, a member of the Sholta Toli Union Parishad, said crimes such as theft and robbery have increased in the area over the past two months. He criticized the absence of police patrols in recent days.

Kaliakoir Police Station Officer-in-Charge Riad Mahmud said the scene has been inspected, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the culprits.

Upazila Executive Officer Kawsar Ahmed visited the site and called the incident regrettable. He said authorities had instructed police to take necessary legal action.