Tension continues in the area following the killing of Pir Abdur Rahman alias Shamim in an attack in Daulatpur, Kushtia, over allegations of blasphemy, with no arrests or case filed yet.
Police said efforts are underway to identify those involved by analysing videos of the incident.
The victim was buried at a graveyard in southwest Philipnagar after funeral prayers around 5:30pm on Sunday. His autopsy was conducted at Kushtia General Hospital around 1pm.
Tension escalated after a video went viral on social media on Saturday, prompting more than a hundred people to attack the shrine, carrying out vandalism and arson. Shamim was beaten and stabbed during the attack. Several others were injured.
He was later taken to Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Multiple stab wounds found in autopsy
According to hospital sources, the autopsy found 15 to 18 stab wounds on Shamim’s face, along with injuries to other parts of the body.
Resident Medical Officer Hossain Imam said the victim died due to excessive bleeding, primarily from facial injuries. Deep wounds were also found on the head, neck and back.
Kushtia Additional Superintendent of Police Faisal Mahmud said the burial was completed with the consent of the family and local residents, under strict security.
No case filed yet
Family members said they have not filed a case yet due to the prevailing situation.
The victim’s elder brother Fazlur Rahman said legal steps would be taken once the situation stabilises.
Daulatpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman confirmed that no written complaint has been received and no arrests have been made so far, though additional police have been deployed in the area.
Attack may have been pre-planned
Police sources said a 36-second video containing alleged derogatory remarks was circulated on Facebook from multiple accounts on Friday night, which spread widely by Saturday morning.
Despite prior knowledge, local leaders allegedly did not inform police about any potential unrest.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the sudden mobilisation of a large group and the coordinated nature of the attack suggest it may have been pre-planned.
Several suspects identified
Police said they have identified the administrators of some accounts that circulated the video, as well as 15 to 18 individuals involved in the attack.
“Multiple teams are working to arrest those involved,” said OC Arifur Rahman.
Law enforcers deployed
Senior officials, including Khulna Range Additional DIG Sheikh Joynuddin, visited the scene.
He said both insulting religion and taking the law into one’s own hands are punishable offences, adding that the incident will be investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice.
District Administrator Md Touhid Bin Hasan said the situation is now under control, with law enforcement agencies including BGB deployed in the area.
Police have also been deployed at the residence of local Baul artiste Shafi Mandal in neighbouring Daulatpur as a precaution.
Background
According to family sources, Shamim, a resident of Dakshin Philipnagar, was a former teacher who later turned to spiritual practices and established a shrine in 2018.
He had previously been arrested in 2021 on charges related to hurting religious sentiments after a video went viral.
Violent attack captured on video
An 18-minute video of the incident shows a large group marching towards the shrine, chanting slogans, before entering the premises and vandalising buildings and setting them on fire.
Eyewitnesses said several people inside the shrine were injured, while others fled.
One devotee alleged that Shamim was dragged out, beaten and killed by the attackers.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify all those involved and determine whether the attack was orchestrated.