Communal attacks in Chowmuhani: BNP-Jamaat leaders among 11 more arrested

Police have arrested 11 more people, including leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and opposition BNP, in connection with the incidents of vandalism, murder and attacks on Hindu community in Noakhali's Chowmuhani. 

Md Shahidul Islam, superintendent of police in Noakhali, revealed this information at a press briefing today.

The arrestees are Harun Or Rashid (48), Jamaat leader and former chairman of Beejbagh union under Noakhali's Senbagh upazila; Faisal Inam Komol (39), vice-president of Swechhasebak Dal in Noakhali; Md Rayhan (38), deputy organising secretary of Jubo Dal's Noakhali district unit; Faisal Bari Chowdhury (45), joint convener of BNP's Purba Char Motua union unit; Belayet Hossain (26), Chhatra Dal leader in Purba Char Motua union; Alauddin (28) and Fazlul Karim Sumon (32) of Begumganj upazila; Mintu (23) of Companiganj upazila; Rarvez Hossain (29) of Chatkhil municipality; Abdul Barek (55) of Sonaimuri upazila; and Abdul Baki Shamim (41) of Begumganj upazila.

"Faisal Inam uploaded a video of the Holy Quran placed at Cumilla puja mandap and published instigating posts on Facebook. A case under Digital Security Act has been lodged against him in this connection," SP Shahidul said.

"So far 192 persons have been arrested in 26 cases filed in connection with the communal attacks on puja mandaps, temples, and establishments of Hindu community in different upazilas of Noakhali including Begumganj," he added.

"The perpetrators are being arrested after they are identified from video footages. Four of the arrestees have already made confessional statements before the court under Section 164. Police are investigating the incidents keeping in mind that no innocent person will be harassed," the police official also said.

Referring to arrest of the local leaders of BNP and its wings, Advocate Abdur Rahman, secretary general of BNP in Noakhali,  told The Daily Star, "Police are arresting them under political motivation. Every night they are raiding the residences of BNP-backed former and incumbent Union Parishad leaders and chairmen in Noakhali Sadar and other upazilas. Four were arrested last night. None of them were involved in the attacks. Our leaders, activists are fleeing the areas fearing arrest."