Several human rights groups on Monday demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the March 3 attack on an event and locality of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at and the clashes with police in Panchagarh that left two people dead and dozens injured.
Meanwhile, senior leaders of the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP continued blaming each other for the clashes, arson attacks and looting that have forced some families of the minority community to leave the area in fear of further attacks.
So far, 16 cases have been filed over the incident.
Police have arrested dozens of people, including a local BNP leader, for their involvement in the incident.
At a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday, Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) said insecurity has gripped the Ahmadiyya community, which is a gross violation of human rights and constitutional rights.
Coordinator of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Tamanna Haque Riti said in a written statement that it is clear from various media reports, fact-findings and discussions with various parties that it was a pre-planned and organized attack. “The local administration and law enforcement agencies did not take proper action beforehand.”
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said: “Through this, the constitutional spirit and the spirit of freedom are being trampled.”
Sara Hossain, honorary executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), expressed concern over the attack on the Ahmadiyya community, particularly the women.
The HRFB placed several demands, including the need for the government's prompt legal action against the attackers and instigators, and ensuring accountability of the law enforcers.
Meanwhile, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said the BNP leaders' speeches and statements proved their involvement in the recent attack on the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh.
He said: "Their (BNP) responsible leaders took to online platforms to spread provocative statements. The Panchagarh incident was especially pushed into violence through a spreading of rumours through their different Facebook pages and profiles."
On the other hand, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the attack on the annual event of the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh had been orchestrated by the government.
Speaking at a party meeting in Thakurgaon, he alleged that the government and its agents had created fake IDs of BNP leaders Rumeen Farhana and Harunur Rashid in a bid to implicate them in the incident.
Our Thakurgaon correspondent Zakir Mostafiz Milu contributed to the report.
