Members of the Jai Kali Maa Mandir at Carli Bay, Couva are calling on authorities for more protection, following another act of vandalism which was discovered on Friday.

According to the temple, members went to begin Navratri preparations “when they discovered that a substance was thrown on the ground, the walls and on our Mother Kali murti.” They say “The substance had a strange smell and burnt our skins when we touched it.”

The members believe the act took place somtime during the day on Friday, and it represents a second act of vandalism in just over 13 months, as last September, Kali murti was destroyed.

The temple’s memebers said”We understand that this is an act of hate and there is little that the police can do. However, we are calling on the authorities to increase its security for the area since it’s not only our temple alone that is under attack from vandals and the criminal elements. We are also urging the authorities to place more street lights in the area, proper toilet facilities, bins, and a proper water supply.”

Despite the situation, the temple will conduct its Navratri celebrations from October 15th as carded, starting with a procession of the Mother Kali murti from Brickfield to the temple.