Asked about attacks on Hindus, Bangladesh official goes militant in presence of minister

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Brahmanbarhia's Nasirnagar has reacted angrily to a journalist's query on allegation of the administration's negligence in the horrific attacks on Hindus in his area.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, also the local MP, was present when the UNO, Choudhury Muazzem Ahmed, charged at the journalists on Wednesday.

The minister, who went to visit his area three days after the attacks, accused the journalists of 'exaggerating' the incident.

The ruling Awami League's Brahmanbarhia unit recently demanded Sayedul’s expulsion after he had nominated the son of a 'Razakar', or collaborator of the Pakistani forces in the 1971 Liberation War, as a candidate of the party in election to the post of chairman of a local union council.

Angry mobs on Sunday assaulted the Hindus in Nasirnagar, and vandalised and looted at least 15 of their temples, hundreds of their houses and businesses following a Facebook post that purportedly 'insulted Islam'.

At least two temples and other Hindu establishments in adjacent Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj district had also come under attack.

After the arrest of a Hindu man on Saturday on charge of uploading the photo on Facebook, Muslim groups 'Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat' and 'Hifazat-e Islam' called demonstrations in the area protesting the post.

UNO Muazzem and Nasirnagar Police Station OC Abdul Quader delivered speeches at the protest rallies. Their speeches were provocative, alleged the victims.

Ruling Awami League leaders have also demanded removal of the UNO and OC for the negligence of the administration to protect the Hindu minority.

OC Quader was withdrawn earlier on Wednesday.

Leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), after speaking to the victims, also demanded removal of UNO Moazzem.

Muazzem went berserk when the bdnews24.com correspondent asked for his reaction to the allegation of negligence of duty in presence of Sayedul and other journalists at the Upazila Dak Bungalow on Wednesday afternoon.

"Hey mister, what are you saying? Mind your language," Muazzem said, pointing his finger at the bdnews24.com correspondent who asked whether the UNO could deny responsibility for the attacks.  

Another journalist asked the UNO to speak gently, but Muazzem told him: "Hey mister, you...do you know me? Do you know me?"    

He then left his seat and charged at the bdnews24.com correspondent, saying, "Hey mister, why did you blame me? Why did you blame me? Why did you say that I am involved? Why did you say that I am involved? Show evidence."    

When the bdnews24.com correspondent said he will 'provide evidence', Minister Sayedul shouted, "Give it now! You have started to speak whatever you wish." 

He then calmed down and asked, "Why are you speaking the opposite? Isn't the situation normal now?"

Asked whether the perpetrators will be brought to justice, the minister said, "Ask Allah! What kind of question is this!"

"Why won't there be justice? Aren't trials held in the country?"