In a doa mahfil for the Liberation War martyrs in Gopalpur upazila of Tangail yesterday, a madrasa principal sought heaven for the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Police detained Faijul Amin Sarkar, 50, the principal of Gopalpur Kamil Madrasa.

Gopalpur upazila administration organised the doa mahfil at the Muktijoddha Sangsad office to mark the Victory Day. People were supposed to place wreaths at the mural of Bangabandhu at the office after prayers.

Police and witnesses said Faijul while conducting the doa said, "May Allah grant heaven for those who were hanged for killing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.”

"The principal repeated the sentence twice … surprising everyone present," Officer-in-Charge Hasan Al Mamun of Gopalpur Police Station told The Daily Star.

Gopalpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Dilruba Sharmin, Upazila Parishad Chairman Younus Islam Talukder, Municipality Mayor Rokibul Haque Chhana and local freedom fighters and leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate organisations were present.

The OC said there was commotion but the political leaders took the situation under control and police detained Faijul on the spot.

"Faijul was being quizzed by law enforcers at Gopalpur Police Station. Necessary legal steps will be taken against him after investigation," the OC added.