Rajbari violence: Goalanda UNO transferred

Nahidur Rahman, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Goalanda in Rajbari, has been transferred. The Ministry of Public Administration issued the order on Sunday (September 14) through a circular signed by Joint Secretary Abul Hayat Md. Rafiq.

According to the notification, Nahidur Rahman has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Export Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Commerce. He has been directed to join his new workplace by 21 September. If he fails to do so, he will be released from his current post on the afternoon of 21 September.

Speaking about the transfer, UNO Nahidur Rahman said it was a part of the regular reshuffling process and assured that he would perform his duties with sincerity at his new posting.

Earlier, on Friday (12 September), Mohammad Rakibul Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Goalanda Ghat Police Station, was also transferred.

The transfers came after a violent incident on September 5, when, following Friday prayers, a group of people attacked police, vandalized three government vehicles, and set fire to the shrine of Nurul Haque, known as Nural Pagla, in Goalanda. Over a hundred of his followers were injured, and one man, Russell Molla, was killed. Around 10 to 12 police personnel were also injured. Later, the attackers exhumed Nural Pagla’s body and set it on fire.

In connection with the attack on police and the vandalism, Sub-Inspector Md. Selim Molla filed a case that night with Goalanda Ghat Police Station against 3,000 to 3,500 unidentified people. So far, 16 suspects have been arrested in the case.

Separately, regarding the killing of Russell Molla during the attack on Nural Pagla’s shrine, Russell’s father, Azad Molla, filed another case on 8 September night against 3,500 to 4,000 unidentified people. The charges include murder, arson, burning of a body, destruction, looting, and assault. Police have arrested eight suspects in that case to date.