25 July, 2026 – Naogaon : Police have arrested the prime suspect in connection with the vandalism of a Hindu temple, damage to a Shiva idol, and the alleged looting of mahogany timber worth approximately Tk 2 million in Mahadevpur Upazila of Naogaon.
The suspect, A.K. Fazlur Rahman Bullet, was sent to jail through a court on Saturday (March 29).
A case has been filed with Mahadevpur Police Station by Dwijendranath Mondal, president of the Ghasiyara Sarbajanin Sri Sri Shiva-Durga Temple Committee. The case names eight accused and lists another 150 to 200 unidentified individuals.
According to the first information report (FIR), Dwijendranath Mondal planted mahogany trees on his land about 25 years ago. The trees had recently been cut and stacked near Ghasiyara Government Primary School and the temple premises in preparation for sale.
The complaint alleges that on the morning of Friday (March 28), a group of approximately 150 to 200 people, led by A.K. Fazlur Rahman Bullet and including the eight named accused, arrived at the site in 30 to 35 locally made motorized vehicles (bhotbhotis). The group allegedly looted a large quantity of the stacked mahogany timber.
The attackers also allegedly vandalized the Ghasiyara Sarbajanin Sri Sri Shiva-Durga Temple, damaging its support pillars and tin roof. According to the complaint, the collapsing roof struck and damaged the head of the Shiva idol inside the temple.
The incident has caused concern and anger among members of the local Hindu community. They have demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved, an impartial investigation into the incident, and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
Mahadevpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shaheen Reza said police have already arrested the prime accused, A.K. Fazlur Rahman Bullet, in connection with the case. He added that operations are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.
