The National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the attack and vandalism at the historic Shah Ali Mazar in Mirpur, calling on the government to ensure a swift and impartial investigation into the incident.

In a statement, the party said the assault on a site of religious and historical significance was not only a sign of deteriorating law and order but also a grave threat to social harmony, coexistence and public safety.

“We believe that violence and attacks, regardless of the differences in belief or practice, can never be acceptable,” the party said.

The NCP's Dhaka Metropolitan North unit urged law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay and take effective measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The party emphasised that shrines and mazars should be viewed not merely as centres of religious worship, but as open spaces of social, cultural and human harmony for people of all faiths, communities and persuasions.

“For generations, such places have served as symbols of mutual coexistence, respect and human connection in our society,” the statement read.

NCP called on the government to take concrete steps to make the mazar premises a safe, orderly and inclusive space for visitors, devotees and ordinary citizens from across the country. “Ensuring that no atmosphere of fear, violence or disorder surrounds our religious and cultural heritage sites is the shared responsibility of both the state and society.”

The party urged people of all walks of life to remain calm and uphold communal harmony.

Earlier in the day, NCP Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adeeb and Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar visited the mazar and held discussions with the shrine authorities.

The attack took place late Thursday night when a group of men stormed the century-old Shah Ali Bogdadi Mazar in Mirpur-1, vandalising the premises and assaulting people present at the site.

Initial allegations have pointed toward Jamaat-e-Islami, the principal opposition party, with police confirming that victims have complaints naming Jamaat-Shibir activists as the attackers. Jamaat, however, has denied any involvement.

The mazar falls within the Dhaka-14 constituency, which was won in the February general election by Jamaat candidate Mir Ahmad bin Quasem (Arman). Notably, NCP,  which has now condemned the attack, contested that same election in alliance with Jamaat.