Arson attacks on minorities’ homes in Ctg: Six more held

A series of arson attacks in Raozan and Rangunia upazilas of Chattogram were carried out in a planned manner to embarrass Bangladesh internationally ahead of the national election, Chattogram district police claimed yesterday.

According to police, the attackers set fire to the homes of members of the Hindu, Buddhist and hill communities. The same group had also planned to torch educational institutions ahead of the election to draw greater media attention.

Police yesterday arrested six more people in connection with the arson attacks on residential houses. Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ahsan Habib Palash disclosed the information at a press conference at the Chattogram District Police office following the arrests.

With the latest arrests, a total of seven people have been detained so far in connection with the incidents. Police said a group of around 16 to 17 members was involved at different stages of the attacks.

Police also seized various materials used in the arson attacks, along with a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle.

The arrestees were identified as Mohammad Omar Faruk, Mohammad Kabir Hossain, Kartik De, Biplab Barua, Mohammad Lokman and Md Parvez. Earlier, police arrested another individual named Monir.

Speaking at the press conference, DIG Palash said, “Many of those who have been arrested are members of a banned organisation. They believed that by creating an embarrassing situation in the country, many of their leaders would get an opportunity to return to the country and a favourable environment would be created for them.”

However, the DIG did not disclose the name of the banned organisation.

“We have identified one individual who is the mastermind and played an active leadership role in the incidents. He is involved in the local nursery business. We have obtained the names of several others and we are trying to arrest them. A former commissioner affiliated with the banned organisation provided financial support to those involved in implementing the plan,” the police official said.

DIG Palash further said, “The arson attacks were carried out to prove that communal harmony does not exist in Bangladesh and that Hindu, Buddhist and hill communities are not safe here, so that Bangladesh would be embarrassed internationally. The intention was to make the upcoming national election questionable -- if these communities are portrayed as unsafe, it would be claimed that a proper election environment does not exist.

“Initially, the incidents did not receive the level of attention the attackers had expected. As a result, the pace of their activities gradually increased, and in the last couple of incidents, entire houses were completely gutted in arson attacks. From interrogation so far, we have learned that they prepared a plot to set fire to educational institutions to attract greater media attention."

“No specific community was targeted under this arson ‘package’ -- Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists were all among the victims. Through these incidents, an attempt was made to create communal tension inside the country and, on the other hand, to spread propaganda about minority persecution in Bangladesh to mislead the international community and put the government in an awkward position,” he added.

Police said investigations are ongoing to identify others involved in the incidents.

In December last year, several arson attacks took place in Raozan and Rangunia late at night after doors were locked from the outside. Police also recovered several handwritten banners from areas adjacent to the crime scenes. However, no casualties were reported.