Charilam: A priest of Charilam’s Jagannath Ashram, identified as Jayanta Dutta, was attacked by a group of miscreants on Friday night. The injured priest is currently undergoing treatment at Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital.
According to reports, the Jhulan Yatra festival is held every year at Charilam Jagannath Ashram, and this year too the celebration was scheduled to go ahead. Ashram priest Jayanta Dutta had reportedly obtained permission from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to hold the Jhulan Yatra programme at Charilam Bazar.
It is alleged that a dispute over the event led a group of miscreants to attack the priest on Friday night. He sustained injuries in the assault and was rescued and rushed to Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, Dutta lodged a formal complaint at the local police station, naming the accused. No arrests have been reported so far. The incident has triggered concern in the area over the safety of religious functionaries.