Tomb of ‘Nural Pagla’ was lowered in Rajbari after demands but 'mob' still attacked shrine

"So many came to attack, but look -- a woman stepped in to save me. That’s the lesson, I won’t forget it," says a follower

The tomb of Nurul Haque aka “Nural Pagla” had already been reduced in height in Rajbari’s Goalanda following demands from protesters.

Police and representatives of the complainants had visited the shrine, confirmed the downward adjustment and expressed “satisfaction”.

Yet, the shrine was attacked, vandalised, and set on fire on Friday by a group calling themselves “Tawhidi Janata”, who later exhumed the body and burned it.

Speaking to bdnews24.com on Saturday, local residents said the tomb had been lowered during protests earlier in the week.

The shrine’s authorities had announced the adjustment at a press conference before Friday’s violence.

Later that day, both police and protesters visited the shrine. A leader from the protesters’ side verified that the tomb had indeed been lowered and relayed this to those present.

At the time, he called for a peaceful demonstration as the crowd dispersed.

A devotee injured in the attack also said the tomb had been lowered before the violence took place.

“Police managed to stop the protesters the first time, but failed the second time,” he added.

Recalling the moment of violence, another devotee said: "So many came to attack, but look a woman stepped in to save me. That’s the lesson, I won’t forget it."

Rajbari Superintendent of Police Kamrul Islam said of the Friday visit: “We were also told they would hold a peaceful gathering and then leave. That was their position, and we arranged our programme accordingly.”

In response to questions, he said: “There will be cases for every incident. One case has already been filed, another is in process. We will identify those involved through video footage and bring them under the law.”

Tensions had been running high for days over the elevated grave, which bore a resemblance to the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam and and claims by “Nural Pagla” of being Imam Mahdi, an end times religious figure in Shia Islam.

But after Friday’s Jumma prayers, thousands of people armed with local weapons attacked the shrine at Juran Mollapara in Goaland Municipality’s Ward No. 5.

One person was killed in the violence.