Movement if bid to grab temple land not stopped

Leaders of Hindu community at a press conference in the town warned of strong movement if criminal activities against a temple of debottor (endowed) property in Shibganj upazila under the district are not stopped immediately.

Abdus Salam, a ward councillor of Shibganj municipality, also a local Awami League activist, has been trying to usurp 68 bighas of land of Shree Shree Bankobihari Debottar Estate Mandir at Shibganj, they alleged at the conference yesterday.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad and Bangladesh Hindu, Bouddha, Christian Oikyo Parishad jointly arranged the press conference at Chapainawabganj Sadharan Pathagar.

Salam conducted an attack on the temple on January 17 and continued threatening the purohits (priests) of the temple and leaders of local Hindu community, Mohit Kumar Da, president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad, said in his written statement at the conference.

Despite lodging of complaints with the police station several times the law enforcers did not take any action against Salam, he said.

The leaders warned of strong movement if criminal activity against the temple is not stopped immediately.

Anil Kumar Sarkar, central committee vice president of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad, Babul Kumar Ghosh, general secretary of its district unit, Monoranjan Kumar, president of Chapainawabganj district unit of Bangladesh Hindu, Bouddha, Christian Oikyo Parishad, and Hindu leader Komol Kumar Tribedi were present at the conference.

Contacted, Abdus Salam claimed that he took lease of the land.

He also denied his involvement in criminal activities.

Moinul Islam, officer in charge of Shibganj police station, said, "There is a conflict regarding the possession of the property between two groups of Hindu communities. Police will take action as per law."