Attacks On Houses, Temples In Pabna
HC orders inquiry
The High Court on Sunday ordered an inquiry into attacks on houses and temples of Hindus in Pabna over a reported posting on the Facebook maligning Prophet Mohammad (SM).
The court asked the inspector general of police to investigate the matter by a three-committee composed of deputy inspector general of police at Rajshahi range, Rajshahi deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, and submit a report within a month.
The court directed the IGP, DC, SP, Santhia upazila nirbani officer and the officer-in-charge of Ataikula police station to arrest within 24 hours those who were involved in the arson attack on least 25 houses and four temples of Hindus at Bongram village on Saturday.
The IGP was asked to submit a compliance report about the arrest order within 72 hours.
The court also asked the IGP to assess the damage of properties and to submit a report to the court.
The court further directed the IGP to deploy additional police forces at the locality to ensure security and safety to the victims and their houses.
The court of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain issued order in suo motto after taking into cognizance of various newspaper reports published on Saturday following the incident.
The court also issued a rule suo motto asking the government and the police to explain why they would not be directed to take legal action against those who were responsible for the incident.
According to the witnesses and police, Hindu houses and temples came under communal attack by a group of people agitated by a rumour that a Hindu boy posted something derogatory to Prophet Muhammed (SM) on Facebook.
The mob also attacked the house of the boy, who went in hiding for understandable reasons, picked up his father. They set fire on some other Hindu houses and ransacked properties belonging to the minority community, including their shops, and looted their valuables.
A total of 25 Hindu houses and four temples were attacked and at least 11 Hindu houses were set ablaze, while around 100 Hindu people got affected, during the mayhem that continued for as long as six hours.
-With New Age input
