Protest rally gives 48-hour deadline for culprits' arrest

As tension mounted in Borhanuddin over the incident, Bhola Deputy Commissioner and Police Superintendent visited the spot and assured the madrasa authorities of action against the attackers.

At least fifty students of the madrasa were injured in the attack, made apparently to take possession of a land now under its possession, sources claimed. One of the students is missing, they said.

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The attackers numbering about 200 also looted property worth about Tk five lakh from madrasa hostels and torched students' belongings, they claimed.

The rally held on Bhola Town Hall premises was presided over by Maulana Abdur Rahman Khan, president of Bhola district Kaumi Madrasa Sangrakkhan Committee.

Speakers at the rally gave a 48-hour ultimatum from Sunday afternoon for attest of the attackers and demanded Tk five lakh compensation for the damage.

They also alleged that police stood by during the swoop, led by contractor Mashiur Rhaman Rupak and Milon Patwari, both relatives of Hafiz Ibrahim.

Founder principal of the madrasa, Abdul Kashem, told the rally that they leased the land from the district council and established the madrasa and mosque there. Now, some ruling party men are trying to construct an auditorium on the land, he said.

When contacted later, Rupak said, "I do not know anything about the incident".