An armed group allegedly attacked and vandalised a madrasa in Ashulia’s Sreepur area on Sunday afternoon in an attempt to take control of a trust and its market.

The attackers allegedly looted cash and valuables from the madrasa office and took away the CCTV control unit, mobile phones and a laptop.

The incident took place after Asr prayers at the Tahfizul Quranil Karim Fazil (Graduate) Madrasa and the Ashia Ashraf Women’s Madrasa, said Tarikul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ashulia Police Station.

Witnesses said more than 100 people, wearing helmets and masks and carrying locally made weapons and sticks, entered the madrasa premises from the rear and vandalised various parts of the institution.

After police were informed and arrived at the scene, the attackers fled with cash and other valuables, they said.

Liton Gazi, assistant administrative officer of the institution, said the group attacked the madrasa in an attempt to take control of the trust.

He alleged that the attackers looted cash from the office and took away the CCTV control unit, mobile phones and a laptop. They also vandalised furniture, computers and glass fixtures in several rooms.

Liton alleged that Hasan, Humayun and ‘Chhoto’ Zakir organised the attack and looting. He also said there was no dispute over the composition of the Board of Trustees, as a court injunction on the matter is currently in force.

OC Tarikul Islam said he was attending a meeting in Dhaka and had received reports of a clash at the madrasa under the Darul Ihsan Trust.

He said the incident might have stemmed from a dispute over the management of the Board of Trustees or possession of shops in front of the madrasa.