Pirganj violence: Saikat, Rabiul give confessional statements

Prime suspects of Pirganj violence, Saikat Mandal and Rabiul Islam, gave confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as they were produced before a court here last night, reports BSS.

"They have given confessional statements separately on Sunday before the court of senior judicial magistrate Delwar Hossain after hearing of the cases filed against them. Following the statement, they have been sent to jail," General Registrar of the court Md Shahidur Rahman told reporters.

Earlier, a case was filed, by Sub-inspector Sudipto Shahin of Pirganj police station, over Pirganj violence under the Digital Security Act (DSA) implicating Saikat Mandal as the main accused.

Besides, Investigating Officer (IO) Inspector of Pirganj police station Mahbub Rahman produced Rabiul Islam in connection with another case filed against him before the same court on the day.

"The two made the confessional statements when produced separately before the court," confirmed the General Registrar of the court.

Meanwhile, the 37 accused persons, who were put on three-day remand in connection with the arson, vandalism and looting in village Majhipara of Pirganj upazila, were also produced before the court on completion of their remand on Sunday afternoon.

As the IO of the case Inspector Mahbub Rahman did not apply for taking them on further remand, the court ordered to send them to jail hajat.

Although a number of lawyers applied for bail on behalf of the accused persons, the court did not grant bail to any of them and ordered to send them to the jail hajat.

Talking to BSS today, IO of the case Inspector Mahbub Rahman said the remanded accused 37 persons gave important information during interrogation.

"We are investigating the matter. If necessary, we will apply for taking them on remand again," he added.

Earlier on October 17, hundreds of miscreants attacked, vandalised and set fire to the houses of the Hindu community in Majhipara village following a provocative post on Facebook from the ID of Paritosh Sarker of the same village.

At least 66 houses were attacked, burnt, vandalised and looted in the village.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pirganj Thana Saresh Chandra said a total of 68 people, including Paritosh, have been arrested so far in four cases filed with Pirganj police station.

"The number of arrested persons might rise as drive continues to nab the other absconding people involved with the incident," the OC added.