Majhipara Hindus fear fresh attack, 5 still being treated

Some miscreants attacked and torched some houses of Hindu families in the village on the night of Saturday last, injuring at least 10 people including some women. Two houses were burnt and a temple was vandalised.

Of the injured, Birbal, Bijbala, Shudhu, Taru, Minoti Bala are undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

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The hoodlums are still threatening their families, the victims alleged yesterday.

A temporary police camp has been set up near the village.

Additional Superintendent of Police Iqbal Hossen visited the and ordered setting up of the police camp.

Piragachha police said, they have arrested five persons in connection with the attack. They are Shafiqul, Naya Miaha, Golam Rabbani, Ishrafil, and Khoha Mia.

But Prema Dash, a resident at Majhipara, complained that

police could not arrest the main accused yet.

Elderly Haripado Sarker, a leader of the Hindu community in the village, alleged that the temporary police camp, set up on the premises of a Union Council office half a kilometre from the village, will be of no use to the villagers in case of need.

President of Rangpur Puja Udjapon Committee Banomali Paul and its vice-president advocate Babu Sona after visiting the village expressed their anger and anxiety over the incident.

They alleged that the security measures taken at Majhipara village by the administration is inadequate.

They demanded punishment to the persons responsible for the arson.

Rangpur Police Superintendent Mahbub Mohshin told The Daily Star that the security measure is enough to control any situation at the village.

"They (police) would arrest all culprits involved in the incident."

Chairman of Kandi Union Parishad Nazrul Islam Khan told this correspondent that the local government body has sanctioned five bundles of CI sheets (corrugated tin sheets) and one Tk 1,000 for the affected families.

Nazrul Islam Khan said some miscreants attacked and torched houses of Hindu families at Majhipara, injuring 10 people and burning two houses. They also vandalized a temple.

The villagers complained that the miscreants tried to attack the Durga Puja Mandap earlier but law enforcers foiled their attempt. They again attacked at the villagers on the night of Saturday last.

The cause of the attack is yet to be ascertained, police said.