Youth arrested for vandalizing puja mandap in Sylhet

Saiduzzaman Shimul, 29, has been arrested by police on charges of vandalizing Protima with a knife after entering a Durga Puja mandap in Balaganj of Sylhet. A knife has been recovered from him, police said.

The incident took place between 7pm and 8pm at Nabingar Sarbojonin Puja Mandap in Balaganj Paschim Bazar under Sadar Union of the upazila on Saturday. After the incident, members of the mandap committee informed the police, who conducted a drive and detained Shimul.

Sudip Pal, general secretary of the temple committee, said Shimul entered the mandap and struck various parts of the idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kartik with a knife. The idols were damaged as a result. On receiving the information, members of the temple committee quickly reached the spot and informed the police.

According to the police version, Shimul was detained after the incident and a knife used in the vandalism was recovered from him. Preliminary interrogation has yielded information about his involvement in the Protima vandalism, police claimed.

In connection with the incident, temple committee president Lal Mohan Das Nantu filed a case with Balaganj thana as the complainant. The case includes charges of hurting religious sentiments and vandalising idols.

Officer-in-charge (OC) of Balaganj thana Mohammad Abdul Latif Tarafder said Shimul was shown arrested in the case and sent to court on Sunday. After the hearing, the court ordered him to be sent to jail.

Police said security has been strengthened in the puja mandap area after the incident. Whether anyone else was involved in the Protima vandalism is also being investigated.