Concern and fear have spread among members of the Hindu community in Bhunabir Union of Sreemangal Upazila in Moulvibazar after thieves broke into eight temples and Hindu shrines over two nights. The thieves reportedly broke the locks of the religious establishments and stole cash from donation boxes, brass idols and various items used for religious rituals.

A similar series of thefts and incidents of vandalism took place in the same area in 2019. The recurrence of such incidents after nearly seven years has renewed concerns over the safety and security of religious establishments in the area.

According to local sources, thefts occurred on the night of September 3 at Madanmohan Jiu Akhra in Bhimsi area, the Lakshmi-Narayan Temple at the residence of Subhash Roy, a temple at the residence of Sajal Das, and the Bhimsi Shmashan Kali Temple.

Another four religious establishments were targeted on the night of September 5. These were the Shri Shri Lakshmi-Narayan Temple in Shashan village, the shrine at the residence of Manabendra Bhattacharya, the shrine at the residence of Narayan Bhattacharya, and the shrine at the residence of Sudha Bhattacharya.

The thieves allegedly broke the locks of each establishment before entering. They then broke open donation boxes and took cash, along with various brass and bronze utensils. Local residents said brass idols were also stolen from several temples.

Local residents said that a similar incident occurred in the Bhimsi area of Bhunabir Union on the night of November 11, 2019. That night, idols were vandalized and valuables were stolen from Bhimsi Shiv Bari and the temple at the residence of idol artist Uttam Mishra.

On the same night, thefts were also reported at Har-Gauri Akhra, Madanmohan Akhra, Palpara Sarbojonin Durga Temple, Bhimsi Temple and Mahadev Temple.

Later, police and local administration recovered several stolen items from a pond beside Madanmohan Akhra in Bhimsi village. The recovered items included bronze plates, three brass idols, a ritual bell, two pitchers, two bowls and other stolen articles. Three people were detained in connection with the 2019 incidents.

Biswajit Deb, general secretary of the Bhunabir Union unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, said, “A total of eight religious establishments were burglarized over two nights. We suspect that a group of drug-addicted individuals may be involved in the incidents. The matter needs to be investigated promptly and those responsible should be brought to justice.”

Jibon Deb,treasurer of the management committee of Patrikul Shri Shri Shiv Bari, said, “Repeated incidents of this nature at religious establishments have created concern among local people. If prompt action is not taken, the fear and anxiety may increase further.”

After receiving reports of the thefts, a team of police led by Sreemangal Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md. Abdur Razzaq and Sub-Inspector Sajib visited the affected sites. The police inspected the temples and other religious establishments and spoke with local residents.

Mohammad Belal Ahmed, convener of the Sreemangal Upazila unit of the Jatiyatabadi Swechhasebak Dal, was present during the police visit. He said, “Such incidents at religious places of worship are deeply unfortunate. Those responsible should be identified quickly through a proper investigation and brought under the law.”

Inspector (Investigation) Md. Abdur Razzaq of Sreemangal Police Station said, “The investigation into the thefts is underway. Police are working to recover the stolen items and arrest those involved.”

Local residents have demanded that the authorities quickly uncover the circumstances behind the thefts and bring those responsible to justice. They also called for effective measures to strengthen security at temples, shrines and other religious establishments in the area.