Body to probe fire at Rangpur Ispahani Camp

Around 300 shanties were gutted in an arson attack at the camp of stranded Pakistanis in Robertsonganj area of Rangpur town during a clash between some youths of the camp and locals on Wednesday night. Photo shows some fire-damaged shanties. Photo: Banglar Chokh

Rangpur district administration has formed a committee yesterday to probe the Wednesday night's fire incident at Ispahani Camp.
Led by Shahidul Islam, Additional District Magistrate of Rangpur, the 4-member probe committee will submit its report within three working days.
On Wednesday night, more than 300 houses were gutted and at least 20 people injured at the fire incident at Ispahani Camp-3 of stranded Pakistanis (Beharis) in Robartsonganj area of the city.
The fire broke out at about 10:00pm and five Rangpur fire fighting units doused the blaze after two and half an hours of frantic efforts.
Police and locals said that some stranded Pakistanis locked in an altercation with Harin Mia, a tea stall owner near the camp.
At one stage, they stabbed Harin and his son Putul and set the stall on fire.
Locals rescued the duo and sent them to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
Angry stranded Pakistanis also ransacked a few shops and Robartsonganj High School and College in the area.
Later the agitated locals gathered in front of the camp and at one stage set the camp on fire following a clash that left scores injured.
Meanwhile, Narayan Chandra Borma, additional divisional commissioner of Rangpur, said they made a list of the fire victims and served food among them at noon.
He also assured the victim families of giving corrugated iron sheets to rebuild their houses.
The administration will also extend Test Relief (TR) and Group Relief (GR) and distribute warm clothes, Narayan Chandra said.