A decades-old Hindu temple was found vandalised in Panchagarh yesterday, three days after unknown assailants slit the throat of a Hindu priest in the district.

Criminals damaged a small dome of Sri Sri Hori Temple at Molani village under Atwari upazila.

Ratan Bilas Barman, who lives near the temple, said he came out of his house around 12:30am after hearing some noises and saw the dome lying on the roof of the temple's veranda.

There were some sings of damage in the temple's walls, added Ratan, also the president of the local puja udjapon parishad.

Local resident Hirendranath Barman said the incident sparked panic among the local Hindus.

Following the brutal killing of priest Jogeswar Dasadhikari of Sri Sri Sonto Gaurio Temple in Debiganj upazila on Sunday, police had assured the Hindu community leaders of stepping up security at their establishments.

According to locals, Sri Sri Hori Temple was built in 1961. It has five domes, including a large one atop the middle of its roof.

Shah Alam, officer-in-charge of Atwari Police Station, said they were hunting for the criminals.

INVESTIGATORS STILL CLUELESS

Investigators were still clueless about the motive behind the murder of priest Jogeswar.

Just after dawn on Sunday, assailants hacked the priest in front of the Sri Sri Sonto Gaurio Temple and slit his throat after chasing him into a house at the backyard of the temple.