Panchagarh Violence: PM gives Tk 1 crore to Ahmadiyyas

A total of 206 families of the Ahmadiyya community affected by the recent violence in Panchagarh and Boda upazilas were given humanitarian assistance from the prime minister's fund yesterday.

Based on the local administration's primary assessment following the arson attacks and looting, the authorities distributed cheques between Tk 4,803 and Tk 5,26,366 among the victim families, reports our Thakurgaon correspondent.

About Tk 1 crore was distributed yesterday.

Of the families, 108 families from Panchagarh Sadar upazila and the rest 98 were in the district's Boda upazila.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan was the chief guest at the distribution programme while Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh Md Jahurul Islam chaired the event held at the Jalsaghar.

The minister said when the election comes close, there is always a move to put the government in trouble by propagating various things based on religion.

"They did such a thing in Brahmanbaria… the BNP-Jamaat were involved in it directly. They want to destabilise the country creating various issues," he claimed.

On March 3, two people were killed and at least 30 others, including seven policemen, injured in a clash between law enforcers and supporters of Islamist organisations demonstrating against the Ahmadiyya community.

The agitators set fire to many homes and four shops belonging to the members of the community. They also attacked a local police station, vehicles of law enforcers, and a traffic police office.