Hindu house ‘vandalised’ in Sonaimuri

House of a Hindu family was allegedly attacked and vandalised in Palpara village of Sonaimuri upazila on Monday night.

Members of the family alleged that Swapon -- a member of Ward 1 in Deoti Union Parishad and also general secretary of Awami League’s unit in the ward -- led the attack.

Locals said Swapon along with his cohorts was gambling in the evening at a place near Palpara, a Hindu dominated area.

After Sarwar Hossain Ripon, a local resident, raised objection to their gambling, Swapon and his son Rumman locked in scuffle with Sarwar and beat him up.

Palpara resident Ripon Chandra Sutradhar, son of Jagadish Chandra Sutradhar, was having tea at a nearby tea stall during the scuffle. 

Later, around 9:00pm, Swapon along with his son Rumman led a gang of around 20 to 25 men who vandalised and ransacked two rooms in his house, Ripon said.     

Ripon and his family members escaped the attack unscathed, but his mother Geeta Rani, 60, was physically assaulted by the attackers.

After rampaging through the house for nearly 30 minutes, the attackers left the house and threatened to drive them out of the village, he added.

Local Hindus said they were living in fear after the incident. 

Swapon, however, refuted the allegation brought against him or his son.

Sonaimuri Police Station OC Abdus Samad said he did not receive any written compliant till 7:00pm.