Rangpur communal violence

Probe panel nails FB account user

The committee probing the attack on Hindu homes in Rangpur has confirmed that the violence was triggered by a derogatory Facebook post by one Titu Roy. “The probe panel has got evidence that Titu Roy had posted the derogatory status on his own FB account,” head of the probe panel and Rangpur additional district magistrate (ADM) Abu Rafa Md Arif told The Independent yesterday. The ADM informed that the probe panel, which was set up a month ago, would submit its report later this month.

Asked if they had found the involvement of other people in posting the defamatory status, Arif refused to comment, saying that he could not state anything further for the sake of investigation.

The controversial FB post had triggered communal attacks on Hindu houses at Thakurpara village in Rangpur. It was posted on the FB page of Titu Roy on November 5. The following day, Raju Ahmed, a businessman, had lodged a case against him at Gangachara police station. On November 10, thousands of Muslims had demonstrated at Thakurpara to protest against the derogatory FB post. Coming out from the rally, an unruly mob had vandalized the village and torched a number of Hindu homes.

Law enforcers had chased the attackers away and at one point fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to control the situation. One person was killed, six were injured, and more than 30 houses belonging to Hindus were ransacked during the violence.

Meanwhile, police have detained 47 more suspects in connection with the communal violence, bringing the total number of arrestees to 100. Police have filed two cases at Kotwali and Gangachara police stations in this connection.

Additional superintendent of police (Rangpur) Fazle Elahi said they were investigating into the incidents. “Police have been deployed at the village. The law and order is under our control,” he said. The ASP said two accused have given confessional statements under section 154 of the CrPC. He added that it would take time to submit the charge sheets in the cases as they have to identify the attackers and get more confessional statements from the accused.

 

Rangpur communal violence

Probe panel nails FB account user

The committee probing the attack on Hindu homes in Rangpur has confirmed that the violence was triggered by a derogatory Facebook post by one Titu Roy. The probe panel has got evidence that Titu Roy had posted the derogatory status on his own FB account, head of the probe panel and Rangpur additional district magistrate (ADM) Abu Rafa Md Arif told The Independent yesterday. The ADM informed that the probe panel, which was set up a month ago, would submit its report later this month. Asked if they had found the involvement of other people in posting the defamatory status, Arif refused to comment, saying that he could not state anything further for the sake of investigation. The controversial FB post had triggered communal attacks on Hindu houses at Thakurpara village in Rangpur. It was posted on the FB page of Titu Roy on November 5. The following day, Raju Ahmed, a businessman, had lodged a case against him at Gangachara police station. On November 10, thousands of Muslims had demonstrated at Thakurpara to protest against the derogatory FB post. Coming out from the rally, an unruly mob had vandalized the village and torched a number of Hindu homes. Law enforcers had chased the attackers away and at one point fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to control the situation. One person was killed, six were injured, and more than 30 houses belonging to Hindus were ransacked during the violence. Meanwhile, police have detained 47 more suspects in connection with the communal violence, bringing the total number of arrestees to 100. Police have filed two cases at Kotwali and Gangachara police stations in this connection. Additional superintendent of police (Rangpur) Fazle Elahi said they were investigating into the incidents. Police have been deployed at the village. The law and order is under our control, he said. The ASP said two accused have given confessional statements under section 154 of the CrPC. He added that it would take time to submit the charge sheets in the cases as they have to identify the attackers and get more confessional statements from the accused.