Baul akhra under attack again
Criminals torch mystic singers' meeting place in Faridpur
Unidentified criminals set fire to a baul akhra (meeting place) at Paranpur village in Sadar upazila early yesterday.
Protesting the incident, local baul community formed a human chain in front of Faridpur Press Club yesterday and submitted a memorandum to Faridpur deputy commissioner (DC) demanding arrest of the criminals.
The incident occurred when the family members of Subash Biswas, mentor of the akhra, were asleep.
Subash, also president of Bangladesh Arshinagar Baul Committee, said bauls from different areas across the country visit his house at times and stay there. Several musical instruments were also damaged in the fire.
Sandha Rani Biswas, Subash's aunt, said her son Ashit Biswas woke up around 2:00am and found the akhra was burning.
The akhra was completely burnt before locals could reach the spot, Sandha added.
Officer-in-Charge Nazim Uddin of Sadar Police Station said none had informed him about the incident first. However, after being informed by the media, he visited the spot in the afternoon, the OC said.
Subas filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the police station against Hasan Sheikh and Akkel Ali yesterday.
Pagla Babul, general secretary of Faridpur Lalon Parishad, demanded exemplary punishment for the attackers.