Section 144 Imposed In Thakurgaon Temple Area To Avert Possible Clash

Section 144 has been imposed at the Shree Shree Roshik Ray Jiu Temple area in Auliapur, Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila. The local administration enacted this order due to concerns of a possible clash between two factions within the Hindu community, particularly among the followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in relation to the upcoming Durga Puja.

The order was issued by the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Mohammad Belayet Hossain, effective from 6 AM on October 7 until midnight on October 13.

According to the administration and local sources, a longstanding dispute over the temple land has existed between two factions of the Hindu community.

On September 18, 2009, a conflict erupted at the Roshik Ray Jiu Temple during Durga Puja between ISKCON followers and another group, resulting in the death of a temple priest, Phulbabu, due to an attack by ISKCON devotees. Since then, the local administration has consistently imposed Section 144 during Durga Puja.

The UNO stated that the order was implemented due to ongoing disputes over the temple land between the two factions. The situation is currently stable, and both police and military personnel have been deployed in the area. There are plans to lift Section 144 once the Durga Puja festivities conclude.