Rangpur clash: 2 UP members arrested

Two members of Union Parishad have been arrested in connection with arson attacks on the homes of Hindus at Thakurpara in Rangpur.

Police arrested Fazlu and Jaynal on Thursday night. Both of them are members of Mominpur Union Parishad.

A total of 161 people were detained so far in this incident.

District DB police officer Shariful Islam confirming it said, “There is evidence of their involvement in the mayhem.”

A Muslim was killed and 20 people, including four policemen, were injured in a clash between law enforcers and locals at Thakurbari village in Sadar upazila on November 6 over a facebook post.

According to the source, Titu Chandra, a resident of Thakurbari village, allegedly posted a picture on his Facebook account with derogatory remarks about Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PUBH).

Over the issue, several hundred people gathered at Pagla Pirer Bazar, adjacent to Thakurbari village, after Juma prayers and started chanting slogans demanding immediate arrest of Titu Chandra.

Later, around 8,000 people from nearby villages thronged the bazaar and marched towards Thakurbari village, a Hindu-dominated village.

Reaching the village, the angry people vandalised and torched 8-10 houses of the Hindu community.

The district administration made special arrangements to compensate the victims of the attacks.

The affected have been given two bundles of tin and Tk 3,000. Some dry food has also been provided by the administration.