A man accused of vandalizing an idol at a temple in Lakshmipur was handed over to the police by his father.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Zakir Hossain, was arrested from a garden near the Maler Bari area in Raipur Upazila’s Char Mohana Union on Friday, as confirmed by Lakshmipur’s Assistant Superintendent of Police (Raipur Circle) Jamilul Haque.
The incident occurred at the Shri Shri Mahamaya Temple on Thursday. Police identified Zakir as the suspect after reviewing CCTV footage from outside the temple.
According to Jamilul, Zakir entered the temple in the Genjihata area of the municipal town and damaged an idol that night.
Vishwanath Saha, general secretary of the temple committee, stated that after the evening puja rituals, the temple priest left. Later, local Hindu community members discovered the idol had been damaged.
CCTV footage showed a man with his face covered by a handkerchief entering the temple, breaking the idol, and then leaving.
Zakir’s father, Monir Ahmed, explained, “My son has been suffering from mental health issues since 2018. I sought treatment for him initially, but due to financial constraints, I couldn’t continue. He entered a temple and broke an idol. Afterward, I, along with some local Chhatra Dal leaders and activists, detained him and handed him over to the police.”
ASP Jamilul confirmed that Zakir will be interrogated in police custody, and appropriate legal actions will follow.
