Authorities in Gazipur Metropolitan City are investigating reports of vandalism at a temple located on the banks of the Turag River in Nama Bazar, under Kashimpur Police Station. The incident involved the destruction of several statues in a newly constructed mandap, according to members of the Puja Committee.
The alleged vandalism was discovered on Wednesday evening (17 September) by the committee members, who found several statues in a damaged state. The identities of those responsible remain unknown.
Probir Dutta Bappa, president of the Agragami Jubo Songho Sarbojonin Durga Puja Mandap, confirmed the incident.
He stated: “The statues were vandalised sometime between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. We had not yet applied colour to the statues; they were still in raw form. They were covered with tarpaulins to protect them from rain. After removing the tarpaulin in the evening, we noticed damage to several statues – Lord Ganesha’s musical instrument, Lord Kartik’s neck, a horse’s ear, and some had been gouged in other areas.”
On receiving the report, officials including the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, the Upazila Executive Officer of Gazipur Sadar, and personnel from Kashimpur Police Station visited the site for inspection.
Md. Zahidul Hasan, acting commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police, stated: “Our senior police officers inspected the scene after receiving the information. The matter is under thorough investigation. The statues were still under construction and in raw form. We are examining whether the damage was intentional vandalism or occurred due to their unfinished state.”
Nafisa Arefin, District Commissioner of Gazipur, also commented: “Upon learning of the incident, we immediately dispatched the Upazila Executive Officer and others to the site. The police are conducting an investigation into the matter.”
Incident Details
| Item | Details |
| Location | Nama Bazar, Turag River Bank, Kashimpur, Gazipur |
| Date & Time | 17 September, between 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
| Affected | Newly constructed mandap statues (under construction, unpainted) |
| Specific Damage | Ganesha’s musical instrument, Kartik’s neck, horse’s ear, gouging on some statues |
| Initial Discovery | Puja Committee members during evening inspection |
| Responsible | Unknown |
| Investigation | Gazipur Metropolitan Police & District Administration inspecting site |
Authorities have confirmed that a thorough investigation is ongoing, including verifying whether the statues were deliberately vandalised or suffered accidental damage due to being unfinished.
