Lalmonirhat UP polls: Hindu houses vandalised by defeated candidate, locals say

A ward member candidate and his men allegedly attacked and vandalised some houses belonging to members of the Hindu community after he was defeated in Harati union parishad election in Lalmonirhat last night.

Pulin Chandra Manta, a victim, lodged a complaint with Sadar Police Station this afternoon, our local correspondent reports.

Ashraful Islam was contesting the UP election as a member candidate of Harati union's ward no. 4, under Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.

Confirming the incident, Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shah Alam said legal action would be taken against those involved in the incident.

According to police and locals, Ashraful Islam, from Masankura village, along with his supporters carried out the attack and vandalism on six houses in Mantapara Hindu village around 10:30pm last night. The attackers also humiliated some people in the village during that time, they alleged.

Manindra Nath Manta alleged that the defeated member candidate Ashraful and his men insulted local Hindus during the incident. "We could not protest against them fearing clashes. We just witnessed the vandalism," he said.

School teacher Madan Chandra Roy said, they were carrying sharp weapons.

Pulin Chandra Manta said that the incident was reported to the police last night. A written complaint was lodged today. "The police have assured us that legal action will be taken against the criminals," he said.

Sirajul Islam Rana, the newly elected chairman of Harati union parishad, said everyone involved in this incident needs to be brought under the law.

Member candidate Ashraful Islam denied the allegations and said he was not involved with the incident. He claimed although he was defeated in the election, he did not treat anyone badly.

OC Shah Alam said that they are investigating the incident. All the culprits would be arrested and brought to book soon, he assured.