A violent attack and vandalism occurred at Aziz Vhandari’s Khanqa Sharif in Paba upazila of Rajshahi on Friday, with devotees claiming that the assault took place under police presence as a mob was incited. The incident occurred after Friday’s Juma prayers in the Panishail Chandrapukur area of the upazila’s Bargaachi Union.
According to Paba Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Munirul Islam, a group of locals initiated the attack. However, Azizul Islam, the peer (spiritual leader) of Khanqa Sharif, alleged that the police took no action despite prior warnings from intelligence agencies.
He said, “Even after the intelligence agencies issued a warning, the police failed to take preventive measures.” Islam added that every year, during the celebration of Eid-e-Miladunnabi, the Khanqa Sharif holds a three-day prayer event, with the first day falling on Friday. “After Jumma prayers, locals were provoked to form a mob and attacked the Khanqa Sharif, demolishing parts of it.”
Islam also accused the police of not intervening despite their approval of the event. “The event was organized with police permission, and yet the attack took place in the presence of the OC and other officers, but no action was taken.”
In response, OC Munirul Islam stated, “Around three to four hundred people attacked at the same time. We had only five police officers present. What could we do in such a situation? He said if a formal complaint is filed at the station, legal action will be taken.”