Group of anti-socials set afire Saraswati Puja pandal in Howrah, West Bengal

While people across the country are busy celebrating Vasant Panchami 2018 with much fervour and zeal, a Puja pandal and idols of Goddess Saraswati were set on fire in West Bengal's Howrah district on Sunday.

The pandal was allegedly burnt by a group of anti-socials whose liquor shop at the spot was earlier closed by locals.

"Howrah (West Bengal): Pooja Pandal & idols of Goddess Saraswati set ablaze in Dasnagar's Baltikuri allegedly by some people whose liquor shops at the spot was closed by locals earlier #VasantaPanchami," the news agency ANI tweeted.

On January 21, the Green Star Club in Howrah's Dasnagar area made all the necessary arrangements and decorations for the puja and left for home after 2 AM. Within an hour of their leaving the notorious incident took place at the club. The Green Star club has been celebrating Saraswati Puja since last 25 years.

While locals immediately rushed with buckets of water to control the fire, several fire tenders were called to douse the fire.

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Howrah (West Bengal): Pooja Pandal & idols of Goddess Saraswati set ablaze in Dasnagar's Baltikuri allegedly by some people whose liquor shops at the spot was closed by locals earlier #VasantaPanchami pic.twitter.com/mljIaCLbib

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018

"This kind of an incident cannot be done by a Hindu or a Muslim, but we are absolutely sure that it has been done by these local anti-social elements for vested interests and vengeance," the chief of Green Star Club said.

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The club members and locals informed police about the occurrence. According to organisers, the group of people used to run a liquor shop where illegal activities would take place.