Police have arrested five people in connection with the violent attack on the shrine of Nurul Hossain, popularly known as Nural Pagla, in Goalanda Ghat, Rajbari. The incident, which saw vandalism, arson, and clashes with law enforcement, left the area tense.
Officer-in-Charge of Goalanda Ghat Police Station Mohammad Rakibul Islam confirmed the arrests on Sunday morning, though the identities of the detainees were not disclosed.
The attack occurred on Friday when hundreds of protesters, reportedly under the banner of the “Iman-Akida Preservation Committee ” , stormed the shrine, set fire to buildings, looted property, and clashed with police. Nural Pagla’s three-story and two-story structures, along with his tin-shed sanctuary, were destroyed. In a shocking act, his body was exhumed and burned on the Dhaka-Khulna highway.
The interim government condemned the desecration of the grave. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus called the act “inhuman and abhorrent,” vowing that those responsible would face justice. He urged citizens to reject hatred and unite against violence.
At least 10–12 police officers and more than 50 civilians were injured. A devotee, Russel Mollah, later died from injuries sustained during the violence.
Following the attack, Sub-Inspector Selim Mollah filed a case against 3,500 unnamed individuals for assaulting police and vandalising vehicles. No arrests had been made until Sunday’s detentions.
The unrest stemmed from objections raised by religious groups over the elevated grave structure built by followers after Nural Pagla’s death on August 23, 2025. Despite meetings between shrine caretakers, local authorities, and religious leaders, tensions escalated into violence.
Police reinforcements have since been deployed to the Goalandaghat area as authorities work to restore order.
