Attack on Sunamganj Hindus: 1 OC suspended, 1 transferred

Published at 06:45 am April 7th, 2021

File photo: Thousands of Hefazat-e-Islam followers gather at Noagaon village of Shalla upazila in Sunamganj to vandalize the houses of Hindu community on March 17, 2021 Dhaka Tribune

On Mar 17, thousands of Hefazat supporters attacked Hindu houses and looted valuables, allegedly enraged by a Hindu youth’s Facebook post

A police officer-in-charge (OC) has been suspended while another has been transferred for negligence in the attack on Hindu homes at Noagaon village in Sunamganj's Shalla upazila.

Sunamganj Model police station Inspector (Investigation) Md Nur Alam has been given the post of the suspended Shalla police station OC Nazmul Haque.

Confirming the matter, Sunamganj Additional Superintendent of Police Saheb Ali said OC Nazmul Haque has been suspended on the instructions of higher authorities. An investigation was underway against him from the police headquarters.

Meanwhile, Dirai police station OC Ashraful Islam has been transferred to Moulvibazar district over the same incident, he added.

Also read - Attack on Sunamganj Hindus: Case filed against Jhuman under Digital Security Act

A source in the Sylhet Range Deputy Inspector General's office said that it is primarily proven that OC Nazmul was negligent about the attack on the Hindu homes. For this, he has been suspended and directed to join the Barisal Range.

Besides, OC Ashraful Islam did not act professionally during the attack on the Hindu houses near his police station for which he has been transferred, according to a source in Sunamganj Police.

On March 17, Hefazat-e-Islam followers vandalized a number of Hindu houses in Sunamganj after a Hindu youth had allegedly criticized the party's Joint Secretary General Maulana Mamunul Haque on social media.

Also read - Attack on Sunamganj Hindus: Prime accused on 5-day remand, 2 more held

The young man in question, Jhumon, a resident of Noagaon village, made the Facebook post on March 16 night. After the post went viral, police detained him with the help of locals on the same night.

Police have detained 35 people in two separate cases filed against 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.