A violent attack broke out in Dinajpur this afternoon as a large group of religious protesters vandalized and set fire to the popular picnic and entertainment spot Jibon Mahal and the adjacent Jiboniya Darbar Sharif. The rampage, which lasted for about an hour from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, left at least 12 people injured and caused an estimated loss of nearly Tk 2 crore, according to the management.
The unrest followed a call made yesterday (August 27) by Islamic preacher and madrasa principal Rashedul Islam Nabahani. In a Facebook Live broadcast, he accused the Darbar Sharif and Jibon Mahal Park of engaging in “anti-Islamic and immoral activities,” urging supporters to stage a demonstration. During today’s attack, Nabahani continued live-streaming on Facebook while the violence unfolded.
Eyewitnesses reported that protesters forced open the main gate and stormed into Jibon Mahal, damaging vehicles, motorcycles, and several structures. They then set fire to parts of the Darbar Sharif, with the flames spreading to an adjacent mosque.
Law enforcement and military personnel arrived on the scene after nearly an hour of chaos, eventually bringing the situation under control. Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Islam and Superintendent of Police Md. Marufat Husain Maruf visited the site immediately afterward to assess the damage.
Authorities confirmed at least 12 injuries, while the Jibon Mahal administration alleged that their facilities sustained damage worth approximately Tk 2 crore due to the arson and vandalism.
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
