Prime accused held over attack on Hindu houses in Sunamganj

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has detained the prime accused in connection with the attack on Hindu homes at Noagaon village in Sunamganj's Shalla upazila.

A team of PBI conducted a drive at Gurabhui village of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar early Saturday and apprehended Shahidul Islam alias Swadhin, confirmed Sylhet PBI's Superintendent of Police Khaled Uz Zaman. 

Locals said Shahidul is an inhabitant of Nachoni village in Derai upazila. He is the member of Ward 5 under Sarmangal Union Parishad in Derai upazila of Sunamganj. He is also the president of Ward 5 unit Jubo League. 

Shalla police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nazmul Haque said the law enforcers have so far arrested 30 people, including Shahidul, after the incident of the attack. 

Meanwhile, two separate cases were filed on Thursday accusing hundreds of people in connection with the attack by Hefazat-e-Islam supporters.

One of the cases was lodged by the police, accusing some 1,500 unnamed people, and the other by Habibpur Union Parishad Chairman Vivekananda Majumder against 70-80 named and around 1,500 unnamed persons.

On Friday, Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Md Mashiur Rahman and Sylhet Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mofiz Uddin Ahmed visited the spot.

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During his visit, Mashiur Rahman said those who committed such acts on the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation would not be spared.

Police and locals said Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Allama Junaid Babunagari, Joint Secretary General Mawlana Mufti Mamunul Haque and several other central leaders attended a conference at Derai upazila on Monday.

Enraged by Mamunul Haque's speech at the conference, a young Hindu man from Noagaon village allegedly made a Facebook post on Tuesday criticizing Mamunul, who earlier opposed the sculpture of Bangabandhu.

Protesting against the Facebook post, the supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam brought out a procession on Tuesday night when the law enforcers also apprehended the youth the same night to pacify the crowd. 

On Wednesday morning, hundreds of Hefazat-e-Islam supporters carried out attacks on the Noagaon village with sticks and locally made weapons, while Hindus fled the area to save themselves.

During the mayhem, the attackers vandalized and looted the houses at the village.

Police later managed to bring the situation under control.