Probe still incomplete
One year has passed since the attack on houses and temples of Hindu people at Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria but police could not complete investigations and submit the charge sheet into the incident yet.
Eight cases were filed with Nasirnagar Police Station in connection with the last year's October 30 attack, in which religious zealots swooped on Hindus and vandalised over 100 homes, 17 temples and looted valuables from the houses. The attackers also beat up over 100 people of the community.
The attack was triggered by a Facebook post purportedly from the account of one Rasraj Das, 27, for "hurting religious sentiment of Muslims".
Rasraj, a fisherman, was freed on bail several months ago as police found evidence that someone else, not Rasraj, posted the anti-Islamic content either through hacking or faking his Facebook account.
But in the last one year, law enforcement agencies failed to detect who actually posted the anti-Islamic element and what was the motive. Police also could not identify the masterminds who posted fake statuses to provoke the attack and gain their petty political interests, locals said.
Many locals at that time said the attack could have been averted had the local administration and police acted promptly and taken preventive measures. But no departmental action was taken against any officials in this regard.
Although the three-hour attack took place in broad daylight and following announcements from two rallies organised by two Islamist groups -- Touhidi Janata and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat -- police are yet to arrest top leaders of the organisations.
In the eight cases, around 3,000 unnamed people were accused.
An alleged organiser and instigator of the attack, Haripur unipon Parishad chairman Atiqur Rahman Akhi, was arrested in November last year.
Locals and police said the attack was a result of an internal feud of Nasirnagar Upazila and Brahmanbaria district units of the Awami League. Police in its primary probe also found the feud behind the attack.
So far 124 people are under police custody now, said Mahbubur Rahman, inspector of Brahmanbaria district judge's court.
Asked, Shawkat Hossain, investigation officer in Gouro Mandir and Dutta Bari attack cases, told The Daily Star that they were working intensively because both cases were important.
“Names of more than 200 people are likely to be included in the charge sheet of each case. That's why we are verifying the pros and cons of them," he claimed, adding that the charge sheet would be submitted soon.
Shadhon Kanti Chowdhury, the officer investigating the torching of Anjan Dev's residence and attack on Rasraj Das's house, said there were no names in the First Information Reports (FIRs) when those were filed. Some were arrested in the two cases on suspicion, he said.
“We are taking time to get evidence of the crime.”
Mizanur Rahman, superintendent of police in Brahmanbaria, said the police headquarters was monitoring the investigation into all eight cases.
He also said 200 people were found involved in the attack in a latest investigation. “For all these reasons, the investigation officers are taking time to complete their investigation.”
Officer-in-Charge of Nasirnagar Police Station, Md Abu Zafor, echoed the SP.
The violent attack still haunts the Hindus in the area, and they are very disappointed for not seeing punishment of the criminals.
Rasraj Das, the main victim of the incident, said, "Nightmare of the day of my arrest still haunts me. I am a poor man; still I have to appear before the court every month. I want relief from this hassle.”
“Although the police investigation has found that I didn't post the anti-Islamic content on my Facebook account, the case against me is yet to be quashed,” he added.
Sharifujjaman Chowdhury Sumon, a noted businessman in Nasirnagar upazila, said, “People of Nasirnagar do not want to see any recurrence of the October 30 incident. The trial of the cases has to be completed as early as possible to ensure punishment of the perpetrators.”
Nirmal Chowdhury, general secretary of Goura Mandir Committee, said, "Questions have arisen whether we will get justice at all. If justice is not ensured, such heinous incidents will recur and the country will turn insecure for the minority people."
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