Little progress in Hefajat B’baria mayhem probes

One year after the Hefajat mayhem in Brahmanbaria, investigation of any of 55 cases filed in connection with the incident is yet to be completed.

According to police, 758 people have so far been arrested in the 55 cases. Of them, 120 are in jail and 638 are on bail.

Only 46 named in the first information reports (FIRs) have been arrested.

Locals alleged that the real culprits were yet to be arrested.

From March 26-28 last year, Hefajat-e-Islam, a Qawmi madrasa-based Islamist organisation, carried out the mayhem in different places of the district over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the NationBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

They vandalised and set fire to over 50 government and non-government offices, temples and Sur Samrat Ustad Alauddin Khan Museum.

Molla Mohammad Shaheen, additional superintendent of police (administration and crime) in Brahmanbaria, said as the drive to arrest the accused was ongoing, they could not complete the investigation.

He said 49 cases were filed with Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station, four with Ashuganj and two with Sarail police stations.

Of the cases, 27 are under investigation with Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station, 10 with the CID, nine with PBI, four with DB, three with Ashuganj and two with Sarail police stations.

Of the arrestees, 49 accused gave confessional statements before the court under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the police officer said.

On January 12, 2016, Hefajat activists vandalised eight to 10 establishments, including Ustad Alauddin music academy.