National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman yesterday asked the government to explain why the people of this country have become expatriates in their own land.
He raised the question while briefing journalists after a visit to where Hindu residents were violently attacked by suspected Jamaat-Shibir activists on Sunday night for voting in the parliamentary elections held that day.
Rahman said it was the duty of the government and the state to provide security to every citizen of the country.
Dulal Biswas, one of the victims of Sunday’s attack, told Rahman that he did not know the attackers as they wore masks.
“The attackers should be brought to justice whatever their political identities are,” he said. The NHRC chief also urged the government to rehabilitate the affected villagers.
“They should be given daily necessities until the situation returns to normal,” he said.
Border Guard Bangladesh and different organisations and individuals have been distributing relief goods among the affected villagers.
Meanwhile, Jessore district administration yesterday formed a three-member probe body, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner ANM Mainul Islam to investigate the attack on the residents of Malopara village. The committee is expected to submit its report in three working days.
According to media reports, armed activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, torched and looted dozens of homes belonging to the Hindu community in the village under Jessore’s Obhoynagar upazila. Local police have detained at least 23 suspects since the attack.