Admin reshuffle, fresh arrest follow Rajbari violence

Administrative reshuffles and arrests continue in the wake of the attack on the darbar sharif of Nurul Haque, also known as "Nural Pagla", in Goalanda, Rajbari on September 5.

Ten days after the incident, the public administration ministry Goalanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Nahidur Rahman to the Export Promotion Bureau under the commerce ministry as a deputy director yesterday.

Commenting on his transfer, Nahidur told reporters, "This is a routine administrative reshuffle in government service. There is nothing else involved. I will perform my duties diligently at my new posting."

Earlier, on September 12, Abdullah Al Mamun, inspector (investigation) of Baliakandi Police Station, replaced Md Rakibul Islam as Goalanda Ghat Police Station's officer-in-charge (OC). Rakibul was reassigned to the Crime Branch at the office of the district's superintendent of police.

Meanwhile, a team of Detective Branch officers arrested Nazrul Islam, 33, from Nagar Kanda, Faridpur on Sunday in connection with the darbar sharif attack.

He faces charges of arson, grievous injury, looting, murder, and exhumation and burning of corpses, said Sharif Al Rajib, additional SP of Rajbari.

He was identified in video footage that showed him pouring oil on Nurul's body on the Dhaka–Khulna highway. Nazrul was produced before the court which sent him to jail, the additional SP added.

So far, a total of 24 people have been arrested in two cases over the attack -- one filed over the killing of a follower of Nurul in clashes, and the other over attacking police, according to Sharif. 

"No one is being detained without verification. Therefore, there is no reason for those not involved to be worried," he said.

Azad Molla, father of deceased Rasel Molla, 27, filed a murder case on September 8 against around 3,500 to 4,000 unidentified individuals. So far, eight people, including Nazrul, have been arrested in that case.

In the other case filed by police on September 6, another 3,000 to 3,500 unidentified individuals were accused over attacks on police and vandalism of vehicles. Sixteen people have so far been arrested in that case.

Hundreds of people attacked the darbar sharif, exhumed the body of Nurul from his grave and set it on fire on September 5.

Followers of Nurul, who claimed to be a spiritual leader, and locals under the banner of Iman-Aqeedah Rokkha Committee locked into a clash after Jumah prayers on that day.