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Rabindra Kachhari Bari in Sirajganj has reopened to visitors, two days after it was closed down following incidents of vandalism and assault.
The site was reopened on Friday morning in the presence of officials from the district administration and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Authorities had closed public access to the estate on Jun 11, citing safety concerns.
Speaking to the press, Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Nazrul Islam said the violence was an “unfortunate incident”, and not a politically or ideologically motivated attack.
“It was not a planned act of vandalism. It did not stem from any fundamentalist group or political party. We believe, with everyone’s cooperation, this site, which is so deeply connected to the memory of Rabindranath Tagore, can now be managed smoothly,” he said.
Meanwhile, six more individuals have been arrested by the army and police in connection with the incident, including a local BNP leader. This brings the total number of arrests to eight.
The arrested include Sirajganj district BNP Joint Secretary Abu Shamim, 60, Rimon Hossain, 25, his brother Sajib Hossain, 22, Ashiqur Rahman Arman, 21, Tanvir Hasan Arko, 22, and Jubayer Hossain, 24.
Shahzadpur Police chief Aslam Ali said three individuals were arrested in overnight raids led by the army, while another three were detained during a separate police operation.
“Two suspects had already been detained on the 12th of June. We are continuing our efforts to track down the remaining accused,” he added.
A press statement from the central army camp in Sirajganj confirmed that three suspects were arrested between Thursday night and early Friday morning during a joint operation and handed over to the police.
Sheikh Kamal Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Archaeology, confirmed that none of the artefacts or memorabilia associated with Rabindranath Tagore were damaged.
“There has been no defilement of Tagore’s legacy,” he said.
Separate inquiry committees have been formed by both the Ministry and the district administration.
He added that investigations had already begun and that a full report would be submitted shortly, after which actions would be taken against those found responsible.
On Jun 8, a visitor went to the Kachari Bari with his family. There, he got into an altercation with an employee at the entrance over the motorcycle parking fee.
Later, the visitor was allegedly confined in an office room and physically assaulted.
Locals were agitated over the incident and protested by forming a human chain on Jun 10.
Afterwards, a group of agitated people attacked and vandalised the auditorium of the Kachhari Bari.
They also beat a director of the institution.
On Jun 11, the Kachhari Bari was declared to be closed until further notice.