Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, and its student wing Shibir, have reportedly attacked the houses and shops of the Hindu community in Ghoshpara village in Patgram upazila in the district on Thursday, the third day of 71-hour blockade.
Patgram thana OC Sohrab Hossain said: “A group of 200 to 250 Jamaat and shibir activists led by Shibir leader Rana Islam, brought out a procession in the area and launched a sudden attack on the houses and shops of local Hindu people at around 9:30am.”
“They have vandalized two houses and five shops and looted valuables,” he added.
Quoting the locals, he said at least 12 women and children were beaten by the gang.
Later police detained local UP member Nazrul Islam, also an ex-president of Patgram upazila unit Chhatra Shibir, for allegedly sheltering Rana, the OC added.
Locals claimed that they beat the women and children up as all the male members of those houses fled the scene.
Witnesses said the Jamaat and Shibir men have vandalised and looted five shops belonging to Khokan Chandra Ghosh, Manik Chandra Ghosh, Subhas Chandra Ghosh, Jamini Ghosh and Koyel Chandra Ghosh and two houses of Dhanjit Ghosh Tapos and Koyel Chandra Ghosh in the village.
The Jamaat and Shibir men also beat up Devi Rani Ghosh, Anjoli Ghosh, Shilpi Rani Ghosh, Charu Bala Ghosh, Sandhya Rani Ghosh, Namita Rani Ghosh and six others, said locals.
They alleged that the Hindu community came under attack for no specific reason.
Patgram Upazila Parishad Chairman Ruhul Amin Babul said the extent of the damage done by the Shibir men has been estimated at Tk2m.
He said: “The area is considered a den of Jamaat-Shibir men. Taking advantage of the countrywide blockade programme, they attacked Hindus to create panic.”
Meanwhile, Patgram Upazila UNO Rafiqul Haque said the upazila administration and police have been talking to the Hindu women and local Muslim community in the village to get information about the attack.
He said: “The administration assured all kind of support to the Hindus and the Hindu men were advised to return to their homes.”
OC Sohrab Hossain said Shibir leader Rana Islam was a wanted criminal and police conducted several raids to try and arrest him.
He said: “Police must arrest all the criminals who were involved with the incident. We are trying to trace Rana’s whereabouts.”
Lalmonirhat district Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman said he ordered the local administration to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of Hindu people and arrest the criminal.
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