Negligence of local admin, cops evident

Negligence, callousness and a lack of farsightedness of the local administration and the police made it possible for religious zealots to attack Hindu homes and temples in Brahmanbaria's Nasirnagar on Sunday, the probe committee of the National Human Rights Commission has found.

"Giving permission for the rally, inadequate security arrangements and a lack of foresight paved the way for the attack," the committee said in its report yesterday.

Asked, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, however, contradicted the committee's findings.

"Of course, we have controlled [the incident] properly and taken prompt action.

There was no negligence on our part," he told reporters at his secretariat office.

Responding to another query, he said, "We've seen we had no shortcomings. He [the OC of Nasirnagar Police Station] also had no failing. Yet, we thought he could do more and play a proactive role, and that's why we've withdrawn him."

Fisheries Minister Sayeedul Haque, the local MP, echoed the home minister, saying some "chaotic incidents” took place between 12:00noon and 2:00pm, but police and the local administration contained it immediately and successfully.

A group of religious zealots carried out a synchronised attack on the Hindus, vandalising around 100 homes and temples and looting their valuables, including cash, gold ornaments and idols, television and mobile phones. The two-hour mayhem followed a Facebook post from the account of Rasraj Das, a local fisherman, “hurting the religious sentiment” of the Muslims.

Rasraj, 27, is now in jail in a case filed over the post. Before his arrest and the systematic attack, he claimed he had nothing to do with the post, but apologised for it anyway. Relatives say his account may have been hacked.

The three-member probe committee of the NHRC, which visited the area on Wednesday, said it did not appear to the committee members that Rasraj, an illiterate man from Jelepara area, could post the derogatory picture on his Facebook page.

Briefing reporters about the findings, NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque said, "Nasirnagar administration and police cannot duck their responsibilities.”

Withdrawing the OC is not enough, he said, demanding tougher actions based on investigation into the police officer's role during the rampage.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer should also be withdrawn immediately, as the vandals could carry out the attack because of his folly, he told The Daily Star after the briefing.

Different groups of youths carried out the attack simultaneously in multiple places, which indicates that it was planned, he added.

The probe report also named some people who were “involved with the "conspirators”.

The NHRC will submit the report to the ministry concerned as soon as possible.

CIVIL SOCIETY, MEDIA LAMBASTED

Fisheries Minister Sayeedul Haque yesterday slammed rights activist Sultana Kamal and Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikya Parishad leader Rana Dasgupta for not meeting him during their visit in the affected areas.

"They visited the area, talked to their aides and left without talking to me. How would they know the facts unless they talk to me?" he sought to know, while speaking at a rally at the Gouro Temple premise in Nasirnagar.

Moulobad o Shampradayikota Birodhi Sangskritik Morcha holds a candlelight vigil at Sylhet Central Saheed Minar yesterday evening, protesting attacks on minorities. Photo: star

For the first time since the attack, the minister visited a badly damaged temple yesterday.

Criticising the media for blowing the incident out of proportion, Sayeedul said, "The job of the media is to write news objectively. Instead, they raised a hue and cry while covering the event."

The media always publish negative reports instead of positive ones, he alleged.

In his rant against the media, the minister at one stage called on journalists to "write against me whatever you want".

Referring to an intelligence report, he told the rally that no people from Hefajat-e Islam or anyone wearing panjabi and tupi (prayer cap) took part in the attack or looting.

One man from the audience instantly protested, saying they saw people with panjabi and tupi attacking Gouro Temple.

The minister then angrily asked him to give the names.

As more people supported the man, the minister abruptly dropped the issue.

Responding to criticism that he was late to visit the areas, he said those who wished his death and wanted him to quit politics had spread such propaganda.