The news came to various Rangpur-based social media groups around 8 pm on July 25. According to these groups, in Aldadpur of Gangachara, Rangpur, a teenage boy had posted a distorted picture and post about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Since the matter was sensitive, I planned to go there the next morning.

However, even after contacting the police station and other sources the next day, no information was available. Around 2 pm, I went to Gangachara Police Station to gather details, where the duty officer informed me that the officer-in-charge (OC) had gone to the spot. I immediately set off for Aldadpur on a motorcycle.

The distance from Gangachara to Aldadpur is 16 kilometers. Around 3:30 pm, I arrived in front of Aldadpur New Government Primary School. Behind this school and the Aldadpur Dimukhi High School live 22 families from the Sanatan (Hindu) community. At a corner in front of the school, about 25–30 police members were present. OC Al Emran was talking on a wireless set in front.

About 300 yards to the west, near Aldadpur Dimukhi High School, some unruly youths were vandalizing tin fences of two houses. Around 3:45 pm, news came that the army was arriving. At that time, there were about 40–50 of these youths, who left right in front of the police.

At 4 pm, an army jeep arrived, and members went to those houses along with police and journalists. From outside, only two or three houses could be seen, but inside it became clear that at least 14–15 houses had been attacked and vandalized.

According to the affected families, they fled their homes upon hearing slogans from processions. Processions had come from three directions. Police tried to block them, but a constable was injured by a thrown brick fragment. When the situation went out of control, the police took position in front of the school.

Source and Spread of the Attack
Aldadpur village is adjacent to the boundary of Magura Union in Kishoreganj Upazila of Nilphamari. About 300–400 meters south of the village is Khilalganj Bazaar, and half a kilometer west from there is Singerghari Banglabazar. According to locals, on the night of the incident, when the boy was arrested and taken to Gangachara Police Station, a procession came from Singerghari Banglabazar to Aldadpur.

The first procession was peaceful, but around 10 pm, a second procession came and attacked the boy’s grandfather’s house. On the morning of July 27, from around 10 am, announcements were made by loudspeakers in various places in Magura Union—including Singerghari Banglabazar, Parder Hat, Hajir Hat, and Magura Bazaar—calling for a human chain and protest rally at Singerghari Banglabazar after the Zuhr prayer. Local mosque loudspeakers also urged devout Muslims to join.

Size of the Procession and Participants
Akhtaruzzaman, chairman of Kishoreganj Union in Nilphamari Upazila, said that around 2 pm, a procession from Singerghari Banglabazar went 3 kilometers west to Parder Hat with 300–400 people. But on the way back, the number grew to 5,000–6,000.

Magura Union chairman Akhtaruzzaman Mithu said, “I saw two people in a car—one driver and one sub-inspector. I requested them to stay with us. But since a major program had been announced by loudspeakers, the police should have taken a more active role.”

Eyewitness Accounts
According to local residents and eyewitnesses, from Sunday morning announcements were made across various areas of Magura Union in Kishoreganj calling for the human chain and protest. Around noon, similar announcements were made from several local mosques.

Locals said that on that day, among those attending the human chain were Zainal Abedin, principal of Singerghari Noorani Hafizia Qaumi Madrasa, and Shafiqul Islam, principal of Telmanpara Noorani Orphanage. BBC Bangla published a video of Shafiqul Islam from that night, where he appeared agitated.

Several businessmen in the market said that the procession had 3–4 loudspeakers, one of which belonged to market trader Sohag Ali. Around noon, when 200–300 youths came to his shop to take the loudspeaker, he refused. Later, his shop was vandalized.

Failure to Control the Situation
Alamgir Hossain, a businessman from Singerghari Banglabazar, said that the Union Parishad chairman spoke with the incoming crowd, urging them to remain calm. But a group of unruly youths abused him and headed towards Aldadpur with sticks.

UP chairman Akhtaruzzaman said, “I left my motorcycle and got into a van with UP member Ruhul Amin. On the way, before reaching Khilalganj Bazaar, an auto-rickshaw was used to block the bridge. We, along with a few others, tried to stop it, but some youths broke through the barricade.”

Political Involvement and Role of Police
According to locals, that day in Singerghari Banglabazar there were teachers and students of the local madrasa, as well as members of the local BNP and Chhatra Shibir. AKM Tajul Islam, general secretary of the upazila BNP, said he had tried to calm the Chhatra Dal members but was unsuccessful.

The affected families alleged that even though thousands gathered from around 11 am following loudspeaker announcements, the police remained inactive. They could have called for additional forces or the army. However, Kishoreganj Police Station OC Ashraful Islam claimed that 10–12 police officers were at the scene that day and that maximum preparations had been made.

Timeline of the Day’s Events
Locals said that the attackers came from three directions to launch attacks and vandalism in the Hindu neighborhood. Gangachara Police Station OC Al Emran said that from morning, 20–25 police were deployed in two places—Khilalganj Bazaar and the Hindu neighborhood. But from Khilalganj Bazaar, 1,500–2,000 unruly youths entered Aldadpur, injuring a constable.

Aldadpur UP member Paresh Chandra said that on Saturday night, a first procession came from Singerghari Banglabazar, followed by another that attacked the relative’s house of the teenage boy. The next day, people were again gathered through loudspeaker announcements.