Two, including main accused, arrested over Gazipur temple attack

Gazipur police have arrested two people, including the main accused Lebu Mia, in a case filed over vandalising a Hindu temple in Kaliakair upazila today (30 August).

The other accused has been identified as Md Murad Hossain, 25, son of Farid Hossen Mollah of Lalpur upazila in Natore, a press statement issued by the Kaliakair police reads.

At around 9:45am today, “20-24 men led by local pro-Awami League contractor Lebu Mia, 47, attacked the Naat Mandir” at Rongertek of Shafipur under the Kaliakair Police Station over a long-running property-related dispute, according to the press statement.  

The locals later chased the attackers away and detained Murad, the police said, adding that the accused was later handed over to Kaliakair police.

A case has been filed with the Kaliakair Police Station over the attack by Kaushik Chowdhury, convener of the Shafipur Sarbajanin Shoshan Ghat and Radha Gobinda Loknath Naat Mandir Committee, the police said.

Earlier on the day, Kaushik told The Business Standard that Lebu Mia and “50-60 men attacked the Naat Mandir in Shafipur Bazar suddenly after breaking down the walls of the adjacent Shafipur Paschim Para Shoshan Kali Mandir”.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers destroyed the temple’s supporting pillars, causing its tin shed roof to collapse.

In protest of the attack, local Hindus blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway earlier on the day. But they ended the blockade after being assured by the local administration and the police that those responsible will be brought to book, the securities of the temples will be ensured and that the attacked temple will be renovated.