In the aftermath of the heinous attacks on the Hindu community in Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, eight suspected attackers were put on remand for three days yesterday by a Brahmanbaria court. Police, meanwhile, arrested another 21 suspects from Sunday night to early Monday for their alleged involvement in the vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples and households. With the fresh arrests, the full tally now stands at 74. Talking with members of a number of households in Nasirnagar area yesterday morning, The Independent learned they are now living in fear of arrests and harassment by the law enforcement personnel.
Altaf Hossain, a resident of Court Road in Nasirnagar, said he was now experiencing discomfort. “I don’t know whether I am going to be arrested or not. I have heard that the police arrested Shukkur, but I know he was not involved in any attack on Hindus.”
“I don’t know on what basis the police are making those arrests,” he added.
Nasirnagar police station officer-in-charge (OC) Abu Zafar, however, told The Independent that they were not arresting people in a whimsical manner. “We know what we are doing,” he asserted.
Zafar said people had criticised the local administration there for its alleged inaction. “Now when we are doing our job, you are saying that we are arresting people randomly,” he added.
Regarding the remand of eight persons, Zafar said, “We hope that during the remand, the detainees will give us information about the outsiders who took part in the attacks. With this information, we will be able to arrest the other culprits.”
The eight persons remanded were identified as ‘Ujjal’ ‘Masum’, ‘Yasin’, ‘Shahid’, ‘Runaid’, ‘Khairul’, Shupto Mia and Baul.
Meanwhile, on visiting Banikpara, Akhrapara, Thakurpara and Hashpatalpara in Nasirnagar yesterday morning, The Independent found that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police forces were still guarding the Hindu temples and households.
The RAB has established a temporary camp there. Syed Ahmed, the commanding officer of the temporary RAB camp, said they are monitoring the entire security situation. “We will stay here as long as normalcy is not restored,” he iterated.
The BGB members stationed in front of Gauro Temple said their area headquarters in Sarail had not issued any instructions about moving from the area.
The Hindu households of the area, too, still feel the necessity of having law enforcement personnel in the area. Nirmal Chowdhury, a leader of the Hindu community, told The Independent: “After what happened, it has become hard for us to feel secure in a short time.”
He said he wanted intervention from the highest level to feel secure. Meanwhile, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will visit Brahmanbarhia’s Nasirnagar upazila today, nine days after the attack on Hindu temples and households.About the Nasirnagar incident, the minister yesterday said during a programme, “Law and order officials are keen to apprehend these criminals. Action will be taken against those involved, whoever they may be, based on the evidence.” In a statement on Friday, the minister denied claims by victims that the administration and police had neglected their duty and failed to protect Hindus.
He also said that families affected by the incidents were being compensated by the government. Brahmanbaria deputy commissioner Redwanor Rahman yesterday distributed relief materials and cash assistance at the office of the upazila executive officer. A total of 51 families in Kashiparha, Haripur and Nasirnagar received a total of 114 bundles of tins and around Tk. 350,000. Twelve families in Kashiparha received three bundles of tins and Tk. 9,000 each, while 16 families in Haripur union received two bundles of tins and Tk. 6,000 each. Two bundles of tins and Tk. 6,000 were given to each of the 23 families affected in Nasirnagar.