Narail mayhem: Sahapara still stalked by fear

Shibnath Saha's life utterly changed on Friday evening.

The 70-year-old man, his wife, two sons and their wives, and three grandchildren lived in the house.

But only he and his ailing wife Arpana Rani Saha are now in the house, which bears witness to Friday's communal attack on properties owned by Hindu people in Sahapara area of Lohagara, Narail. The rest of Shibnath's family members have fled the area out of fear for their lives.

Three homes and dozens of shops were vandalised or burnt down in Sahapara on Friday. The attacks were carried out by mobs who said their religious feelings were hurt by a Facebook post made by someone from the neighbourhood.

"I don't know how my sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren are passing their days away from home," said Shibnath.

Almost all the women and children of the 108 Hindu families have left their homes amid the mayhem.

Their fear intensified after miscreants stole two cows from the house of Sochidanada Roy on Saturday night.

There are around 300 stores owned by Hindu individuals in Dighalia Bazar which is close to Sahapara. Almost all the shops remained closed yesterday.

"My shop was looted that day. Everything has been damaged. I wouldn't dare reopening my shop anytime soon," said Nitya Gopal Saha, a grocery shop owner.

He also alleged that some of the attackers demanded Tk 5 lakh moments before his shops and house were vandalised.

Many said they knew the attackers, who were residents of nearby villages. But they would not file cases against them for fear of reprisals.

"They are still facing implicit threats from the attackers," said a man, seeking anonymity.

Some of the attackers are roaming around the area with police, several others said, adding that police were present at the scene, but did nothing when the attacks happened on Friday.

They also alleged that some of the attackers were involved in the  ruling Awami League.

Probir Kumer Roy, superintendent of police in Narail, refuted the allegations against police. He said police were trying hard to find the attackers and ensure safety for the Hindus.

Three individuals were arrested in connection with the attacks, he said. But their names would not be disclosed for the sake of investigation.

Meanwhile, police early yesterday arrested college student Akash Saha in Khulna on charges of making the Facebook post that supposedly angered the locals.

A court placed him on a three-day remand in a case filed Friday night by a resident of Dighalia area named Kochi Sardar, said SK Abu Hena Milon, officer-in-charge of Lohagara Police Station.

He was accused of hurting religious feelings, he added.

Akash's father Ashoke Saha was detained by police on Friday night.

NHRC STATEMENT

The National Human Rights Commission in a statement yesterday urged the authorities to investigate the attacks on Hindu properties and the role of police during the mayhem.