GUWAHATI: In yet another bizarre incident, unidentified goons vandalised the idol of Goddess Durga at the Ananda Bazaar puja pandal in Howly at Barpeta in the wee hours of Wednesday, police sources said.
“The incident must have taken place in the wee hours as we were informed about it at 5.30am this morning. The idol of Goddess Durga has been partially damaged but the committee members have now repaired the portion. Things are under control now,” P. Das, the officier in-charge of Howly police station told The Shillong Timesover phone on Wednesday afternoon.
The puja pandal is about 10km from Howly police station in Barpeta district.
Infuriated puja committee members and residents of the area blocked the Howly-Barpeta road for some time in the morning demanding an investigation into the act of vandalism and necessary punishment for the perpetrators.
The incident on Maha Ashtami comes just three days after idols of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesh were found partially damaged at New Field puja mandap at Paltan Bazar in Guwahati.
Superintendent of police of Barpeta district, Violet Barua and assistant superintendent of police Samiran Baishya reportedly visited the puja pandal following which an investigation has been initiated by Barpeta police.
Additional security personnel have been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward situation during the remaining days of the puja.