Idol vandalized at Kali temple in Natore crematorium, administration investigating

A Kali idol was vandalized at Haludanga Sri Sri Maha Crematorium Kali Temple in Lalpur Upazila of Natore. Sometime between the evening of Monday (July 21) and the early hours of Tuesday, miscreants broke the idol. According to temple committee sources, the idol, about 10 feet high, made of clay, was installed inside the roofed pucca building of the temple. On Monday evening, as per the rules, the priest returned home after lighting the evening lamp. The next day, a person named Arpan Kumar found the idol broken at around 6 am. When the news spread, people from the local Hindu community and temple committee members quickly gathered at the spot.

Upon receiving the news of the incident, Lalpur Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mehedi Hasan and police station OC Mominuzzaman visited the temple and spoke to the locals.

Temple Committee President Naresh Chandra Mandal said, “I myself lit the evening lamp in the evening. At that time, the idol was intact. This morning, my nephew went and saw that the idol was completely broken.” He also said, “Although the temple has an iron gate, the idol could have been broken by pulling something from outside. We are not suspecting anyone right now. Let the police investigate.”

In this regard, Lalpur Upazila Puja Udjapan Parishad President Dipendranath Saha said, “Since the temple is in a field and is adjacent to the crematorium, there is no guard or security system, not even CCTV. We want a fair investigation and trial of this incident.”

Lalpur Police Station OC Mominuzzaman said, “Upon receiving the news of the incident, the police went to the spot and conducted a preliminary investigation and collected information. Preparations for the case are underway. Legal action will be taken after identifying the culprits.”

The incident has caused extreme anger and concern among the locals. The administration has assured a proper investigation and that those involved in the vandalism of the idol will be brought to justice quickly.