Violence erupted in Rajbari’s Goalanda after Friday prayers when enraged locals attacked the shrine of Nurul Haque, popularly known as Nural Pagol, who had declared himself Imam Mahdi. Protesters vandalized and set fire to the premises, sparking deadly clashes.

At least one person, identified as Russell Molla (28), was killed, while more than 50 others — including police officers — sustained injuries. The unrest stemmed from long-standing disputes over Nural Pagol’s elevated burial site. Prior to the violence, local Jamaat leaders had urged his followers to rebury him according to Islamic norms.

In a related incident, another shrine in Rajshahi’s Paba was also vandalized. Locals accused BNP leader and former union council member Golam Mostafa of instigating the attack, a charge he has denied.