Govt repairs Hindu homes damaged in mob attacks in Rangpur's Gangachara

The local administration has started renovating the dwelling houses and other structures damaged in an attack by a mob over an alleged derogatory remark by a minority youth on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Gangachara upazila of Ranpur last Saturday (26 July).

Police, however, submitted an initial report to a court on Wednesday stating that valuables worth Tk16 lakh were damaged in the attack.

Officer-in-charge of Gangachara Model Police Station Al Imran, also investigation officer of the case filed in this regard, said that it will take more time to submit a full evaluation report.

Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur Mohammad Robiul Faisal said they have repaired the damaged houses and furniture, installed 20 clay stoves and four tube wells, and provided dry food and utensils.

Further assistance will be provided as additional allocations are received, he said.

On 26 July, around 1200 unidentified people attacked 12 houses of Hindu community in Aldatpur Chhayani area of the upazila following the alleged derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook.

The attackers looted valuables including cash, gold ornaments, cattle, goats, and water pumps worth around Tk11 lakh and vandalism of doors and windows caused further damage estimated at Tk550,000.

The homes of 22 families were affected in the attack, according to the initial report.

However, police detained the accused youth soon after the post went viral on social media, and a case under the Cyber Security Act was filed against him.

Later one Rabindranath Roy, a resident of Chhayani village, filed a case with Gangachara Police Station on Tuesday.

That night, joint raids by police and army personnel in various parts of Kishoreganj upazila in Nilphamari arrested five suspects, who were later sent to jail through court on Wednesday. The court granted a two-day remand for them yesterday (31 July).