Sirajganj, June 13 (V7N) — The historic Rabindra Kachari House, associated with the legacy of world-renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore, has reopened to visitors after being closed indefinitely for two days following an attack and vandalism incident.

On Friday afternoon, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nazrul Islam formally handed over the entry token to the first visitor and announced the reopening of the site. He clarified that the Rabindra Kachari House itself was not attacked or damaged, and that the vandalism was limited to the adjacent Rabindra Auditorium.

Deputy Commissioner Islam emphasized that the incident stemmed from a personal dispute between security staff and an expatriate visitor who had a valid entry token. He assured that there was no involvement of fundamentalism or political motives behind the incident, and no security lapses were found at the site.

Several officials, including Sheikh Kamal Hossain, Deputy Director (Administration) of the Department of Archaeology and head of the investigation committee, Sirajganj Police Superintendent Md. Faruk Hossain, and Shahjadpur Upazila Executive Officer Md. Kamruzzaman, were present during the reopening. Cultural figures and local leaders also joined the visit.

Sheikh Kamal Hossain stated that the investigation committee has begun its work, and a detailed report will be prepared soon. Appropriate punitive actions will be taken against those found responsible.

Sirajganj Police Superintendent Md. Faruk Hossain assured that overall security has been tightened to prevent any further incidents. Five individuals have already been detained, and efforts continue to apprehend others involved.

The incident occurred on June 8, when an expatriate visitor, Shahnewaz, and his family visited the Kachari Bari. A dispute arose over parking fees with a gate employee, escalating into Shahnewaz being locked inside the auditorium and physically assaulted. The assault was recorded on video and widely circulated on social media.

Shahnewaz filed a formal complaint naming Custodian Habibur Rahman as the primary accused. After perceived inaction by police, locals protested with a human chain on June 10 and subsequently vandalized the auditorium’s doors and windows in anger.

Police and local officials later intervened to restore order. Following the vandalism, Habibur Rahman filed a case citing 50 to 60 unknown individuals, listing 10 plaintiffs.

The reopening marks a step toward normalcy at the culturally significant site, which remains an important monument in Bengali heritage.

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