Panicked, minorities yet to return home

Many panic stricken people of Hindu community, who left their homes after attacks on their homes and temples of different villages in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district frequently over a post on facebook disgracing the Muslim religion, are yet to return to their homes in fear of fresh attack.

They are living at different places and leading miserable life, although the government has beefed up security measure and deployed some police personnel in the areas to avert further untoward incident.  On the other hand, the mystery of the attack has remained in dark so far, as police are yet to find out the genuine reasons behind the attacks, while locals have blamed the conflict between district Awami League and local MP Sayedul Haque, also Minister for Fisheries and Livestock.

"Many people of our community are yet to come back homes in fear of fresh attack. They are staying at different places after taking shelter at their relatives' houses and passing inhuman life, said Joy Kumar Das, 50, son of late Jogodurlov Das of Harinbeg Pashchimpara village in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district. He further said although government had deployed some police personnel at different points in the area, but panic for fresh attack was yet to remove from the minds of Hindu people.

Anjan Kumar Deb, 45, and Norendra Das, 60, of Mohakalpara village in Nasirnagar have told The Asian Age that some people have returned to their homes, while a big portion was staying in hideouts. The people, who could not return so far, are passing days half-fed, even without food for want of work. Abu Jafor, OC of Nasirnagar police station, has said they have already arrested 53 persons in this connection and carrying out investigation to find out the mystery of the attacks.

Jafor further said police arrested Rosoraj, 20, son of Jagannath Das of Harinbeg village for giving a post on facebook disgracing the Muslim religion. But they did not get any mentionable information from him after interrogation, he added.   OC also said, "Rosoraj is an illiterate person and leads his livelihood by fishing. He does not know how to open the facebook ID and use it. One Ashutosh Das of the village and also friend of Rosoraj helped him to open his facebook ID. Police suspect that he (Ashutosh) might have been involved in the disgracing post."

On the other hand, people of local Hindu community held a press conference in front of Nasirnagar Press Club yesterday, where they urged the concerned administration to ensure the security of all minorities.  They also demanded arrest of the culprits, who were involved in the conspiracy to make the country unstable.  On the same day, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sayedul Haque in another press conference, held at the Ashutos Pilot High School in Nasirnagar, declined the allegation of using objectionable words against Hindu community. He claimed that he did not say 'Malauner Bachcha' (son of Malaun) remarking the people of Hindu community. "If anyone can prove it, he will leave his post of minister."

Bangabir Quader Siddiqui, President of Krishok Sramik Janata League along with leaders of his party visited the spots yesterday and urged the law enforcers to find out the real mystery behind the hateful attacks and bring the attackers to books.  Rejwanur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria also visited the spots yesterday and directed the concerned officials to take drastic action against the perpetrators.  While talking Rejwanur told The Asian Age that a three-member probe body led by ADC Md Shamsul Haque was formed to enquire the frequent attacks.

Blaming the mismanagement of the concerned law enforcers he said if the law enforcers would remain alert, the incidents of fresh attacks would not have taken place here.  Giving warning to the law enforcers he further said none would be spared if negligence was found on the security issue of minority communities.  Meanwhile, the government has withdrawn the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Nasirnagar Md Chowdhury Moazzem Ahmed for negligence of duty. ADC (General) Basirul Haque Bhuiyan on Sunday confirmed the matter to The Asian Age.

Earlier, OC of Nasirnagore police station was withdrawn for the same reason. Abu Jafor was replaced at that post. Several hundred people swooped on different temples and houses in Harinbeg, Nasirnagar, Thakurpara, Kashipara, Sarkarpara, Jelepara and Gour Mondirpara in the upazila in the last few days.  The attackers also torched, vandalized and ransacked households and around 11 temples. Centering the incidents, tense situation is prevailing in the vandalized areas. - GM Jibon & Akhtar Hossain Bhuiyan, from Nasirnagar