A mob set fire to the Ismail Shah shrine in Amtali, Barguna, during its annual Urs celebration early on Monday.
The incident occurred in the Bottola area of Amtali municipal town at around 12:15am, confirmed by Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Ashraful Alam.
At least 18 to 20 people were injured in the attack by the agitated mob, some of whom have been admitted to Amtali Upazila Health Complex, as per a medical officer.
According to reports, the Ismail Shah shrine was established in 1996 in the Bottola area of Amtali. Since then, the shrine authorities have organized a two-day-long Urs every year.
Advocate Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the caretaker of the Ismail Shah shrine, said: "During the 28th Urs celebration, a large group of Tawhidi Janata, led by Maulana Omar Faruk Jihadi, demanded the cessation of shrine rituals and music. When I refused to comply, they launched a sudden attack on the shrine with sticks and torched it.”
“As a result, the shrine’s sacred cloth and two meeting halls were completely destroyed. They also assaulted devotees. I demand punishment for those involved in this incident," he added.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people stormed the shrine with sticks, vandalized it, and then set it on fire.
The blaze spread rapidly, causing panic among devotees and locals, who ran in different directions in fear, they added.
Meanwhile, Maulana Omar Faruk Jihadi claimed: "This shrine is a den of deception. Under the guise of Urs, there is music, drug use, and immoral activities involving women. Female devotees even prostrate before the shrine’s caretaker, Advocate Mostafizur Rahman Babul.
“During Ramadan, I urged him to refrain from such unethical practices, but he refused. Instead, his followers attacked my people.”
“I demand action against this fraudulent shrine caretaker and his associates," he added.
Mohammad Hanif, warehouse inspector at the Amtali fire station, said: "We brought the fire under control at 2:35am after nearly two hours of effort. The canopy inside the shrine and two structures were completely burned."
Dr Rashed Mahmud Roknuzzaman, medical officer of Amtali Upazila Health Complex, said: "The injured are receiving proper medical treatment at the hospital."
Amtali police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ariful Islam Arif said: "Upon receiving the news, we reached the scene and brought the situation under control. Legal action will be taken following an investigation."
