Dhaka: Attack on Hindu community at Boro Karimpur Majhipara village in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur district following a social media post Sunday night was premeditated, said Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
Shirin Sharmin, also lawmaker from Pirganj, made the statement visiting the spot and assuring the minority community of all-out support and safety on Tuesday. She extended financial support to the affected family members.
“Pirganj is a peaceful area. Durga Puja was held at 98 mandaps in the upazila. I personally extended help. A vicious circle fabricated the chaotic situation by spreading rumour in the social media,” she said, cautioning that the perpetrators will be brought to book.
She reaffirmed the government’s zero tolerance policy against the anti-state elements who are trying to foment religious hatred and damage communal harmony.
Not only attackers of Boro Karimpur Majhipara village but also their masterminds will be identified through impartial investigation and punished, she said.
The law enforcement agencies have arrested scores of people including the youth who posted the instigating status on the Facebook triggering the violence.
Shirin Sharmin said “Rice, dry foods, sharis and lungis were distributed among the affected by the attack. The government will rehabilitate the victims and renovate the damaged temples.”
Rangpur deputy commissioner Asib Ahsan, Rangpur range DIG Devdas Bhattacharya, SP Biplob Kumar Sarkar, UNO Biroda Rani Roy and local Awami League leaders were present.
