'Do not politicise Banskhali carnage, help arrest killers'

Politicisation of the incident will only help the killers escape punishment, he said while talking to the victims' relatives and neighbours on Friday during a visit to Shilpara in Banshkhali.

The carnage, reportedly by a gang of dacoits on November 18, left 11 persons of a family were burnt to death.

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Police so far arrested eight suspects.

The food minister was accompanied by State Minister for Environment and Forest Jafrul Islam Chowdhury and other BNP leaders including A M Nazimuddin, Abu Sufian and Banskhali Pourasabha Administrator Qumrul Islam Hossainy.

The minister asked Chittagong police superintendent to set up a permanent police outpost at Shilpara for safety and security of the villagers.

Noman talked to the villagers and relatives of the victim's family and wanted to know from them about the incident.

They informed the minister that the act was simply a 'dacoity'. A harmonious social relation has been prevailing between Muslims and the Hindus in the village, they told him.

Awami League President and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit Banshkali on December 2.