Dhaka: A Hindu temple was torched and statues of deities were destroyed in three attacks on Muslim-majority Bangladesh's main religious minority ahead of a festival, officials and reports said on October 8.

In the Northern area of Kishoreganj, a temple was set ablaze and badly damaged on October 5. A leaflet left behind called for an end to "idol worship" and for a mosque to be built in the temple's place, the 'Sangbad' newspaper reported.

One day later, a group destroyed statues of deities, made ahead of the major Hindu festival of Durga Puja on October 10, in Narayanganj near the capital Dhaka.

A private guard identified as Shah Alam was arrested for the attack on October 6, police officer Ashadul Islam said.

Separately, two teenagers were arrested for destroying idols in the Western Natore district, 'Sangbad' reported.

Opposition leaders have alleged persecution of Bangladeshi Hindus since Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Islamist-allied coalition swept in to power in October 2001.

The government has denied any campaign against Hindus, who form about 12 per cent of Bangladesh's 130 million-strong population, and has assured full security for the festival on October 10.

The US State Department's 2002 International Religious Freedom Report said that Bangladeshis "generally are free to practice the religion of their choice", but said that police are often slow to assist minorities who are victims of crimes.

In the Narayanganj incident, local lawmaker Giasuddin Ahmed, who is from Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party, offered 40,000 Taka ($ 689) for the destroyed deities to be rebuilt.