Special Correspondent.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said those involved in the arson and looting of Hindu houses in Rangpur’s Pirganj had been “immediately identified” and that 45 people had already been arrested on suspicion of involvement.
“The prime minister has already instructed the victims to take appropriate action,” he told reporters at the secretariat on Monday afternoon.
In the last few days, after the alleged violence in a puja mandapa in Comilla during the Durga Puja, it spread to different areas including Chittagong, Noakhali, Cox’s Bazar and Feni. Majhipara of Pirganj was burnt in that communal fire on Sunday night.
A young man was accused of ‘insulting religion’ on Facebook and 29 houses were set on fire.
The Home Minister said, “There was no loss of life, but there was loss of property and houses were burnt. We think we identified these people immediately. I have caught 45 people with the help of the locals and efforts are being made to catch a few more. ”
Describing what happened in Pirganj as “another unfortunate incident”, he said, “The incident started with a post on Facebook by a teenager. Whether intentionally or unintentionally or purposefully, status is given. The police administration, in anticipation of the incident, raided the place where the boy was staying; However, the boy was not found. ”
He said police were deployed there to provide security to the village. The miscreants then left the area and went to another area and set fire to several houses in a village in Raghunathpur union of Pirganj police station.
“According to the information I have, 25 houses have been set on fire. The miscreants looted the houses. More than 90 percent of the houses were looted and vandalized. ”
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal commented that ‘incidents had taken place’ before the police arrived, adding that additional police, APBN, RAB and BGB had gone there at night.
“We have taken all possible measures for our security. But this incident has been caused by the miscreants all of a sudden.”
He said the district administration immediately distributed cash and clothes to the victims. Local MP Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, has also taken the initiative.
“The prime minister has also given instructions for the construction of houses, which will be given whatever is needed. Their houses will be built very soon. ”
