2,958 sued in 3 cases filed over attacks, vandalism at Chandpur temples
Police have arrested seven persons in three separate cases, filed accusing eight named and 2,950 unidentified people, over attacks and vandalism at two temples in Chandpur on October 13.
Around 500-700 armed men attacked and vandalised the puja mandap at Sree Sree Rajlaxmi Jiur Akhra temple in Hajiganj Bazar area around 8:30pm on October 13, according to the case statement. As police personnel tried to disperse them by charging baton, they retaliated by firing at police on duty at the spot and vandalising their cars, reports our Chandpur correspondent quoting police.
The law enforcers then fired at the attackers as they clashed and four persons died while at least 50 people including 23 policemen were injured. Sub-inspector Md Younus of Hajiganj Police Station later lodged a case with the station, accusing three named persons – Md Parvez, Md Arif Hossain, and Md Sagor Mia – and 2,200 unidentified others over the incident.
In a separate incident around the same time, an armed mob of around 350 men launched an attack on Radha Govinda Nath temple in Rajargaon under Hajiganj upazila and carried out vandalism at the puja mandap and beat up attendees at the mandap.
Tapan Chandra Roy, on behalf of the temple's committee, filed a case in this connection with the police station accusing five identified persons -- Md Jahir Bepari, Md Riyad Hazi, Md Arif Khan, Md Shah Alam, and Mehedi -- and 350 unidentified others.
Also, another case was filed by Assistant Sub-inspector Asma Begum with Hajiganj Police Station over an attack carried out by an armed mob on the police station around 9:30pm on October 13.
Confirming the developments, Sohel Mahmud, additional superintendent of police (Hajiganj Circle), said police arrested seven persons in the three cases so far and they were sent to jail after being produced before a Chandpur court.
The arrestees do not have any political affiliation, the ASP said.
Two separate bodies have been formed by the district and police administrations to investigate the incidents.
Additional District Magistrate Nasir Uddin Sarwar leads the five-member investigation team formed by Chandpur District Administration, and investigation is ongoing to this end, said Momena Akter, UNO of Hajigaj upazila.
Additional Deputy Inspector General Iqbal Hossain leads the three-member body formed by Chattogram range to investigate the incidents, said Sudipto Roy, additional superintendent of police in Chandpur and also a member of the probe body.
"We have noted the witnesses' statements from the spot and are analysing the CCTV footages. A report will be submitted after completing the investigation," ASP Sudipto said.
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