Baul Akhra attacked in Chuadanga, case filed

A Baul Akhra was looted, ransacked and set alight by unidentified miscreants in Chuadanga yesterday.

The incident took place in Belgachhi village of Sadar upazila. The Akhra ( place of gathering) is also known for the shrine of Muntaz Shah, a follower of Lalon Fakir.

A case was filed at the Chuadanga Sadar Police Station regarding the matter around 11:30 am today. Officer-in-Charge Mahabur Rahman said they were working to identify the miscreants involved in the incident, reports our Kushtia correspondent.

After visiting the spot, Chuadanga Additional Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman said police were looking into the whole matter.

According to the complaint of its khadem (caretaker), Azizur Rahman, a group of men launched the attack with sharp weapons around 8:30pm yesterday.

At one stage, they cut the tin fence of the house and disconnected the electricity. They also chopped down trees on the premises and set fire to the shrine's tabernacle.

Besides, the gang broke the donation box and looted at least Tk 50,000.

A preparation for Baul gathering was going on there when the incident took place. Nobody was hurt in the incident but after the incident, many Bauls from the Akhra fled the area.

President of Akhra management committee, Shah Abdur Razzak, believes that the attack was pre-planned. According to him, such type of attack is intended to oust the Bauls from the area.

General Secretary of Chuadanga District Baul Kalyan Sanstha Muslim Uddin claimed that the incident was instigated by fundamentalists. This attack on Bauls is not new. Such incidents have took place several times in the district.