Ruling party expels three local leaders over attack on Bangladesh Hindus

After attacks on temples and houses of Hindus in Brahmanbarhia's Nasirnagar twice in five days, the Awami League has temporarily expelled three of its local leaders for their reported involvement in the mayhem.

The ruling party's Brahmanbarhia district unit has also formed a five-member committee to investigate the allegation of the trio's link to the attacks.

Brahmanbarhia Awami league General Secretary Al Mamun Sarker told bdnews24.com on Friday that the three were named in media reports for their alleged involvement in the attacks. 

"That's why we've expelled them temporarily. They will be permanently expelled if the allegations are found to be true in investigation," he added.

The three are Nasirnagar Upazila Awami League Assistant Secretary Abul Hashem, its Haripur Union unit chief Faruq Mia and Chapartala Union unit President Suruj Ali.

All of them are known to be loyal to local MP and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sayedul Hoque.

Local Awami League leaders said Hoque's rivalry with Brahmanbarhia Awami League President RAM Obaidul Moktadir, MP, and General Secretary Mamun came out in the open over nomination of candidates during Union Parishad elections in March.

Nasirnagar MP Hoque is an adviser in the district unit.

When Haripur Union unit President Faruq was picked up as the ruling party candidate to run for union council chairman, district committee leaders objected to the decision.

They said Faruq's father Tajul Islam alias Tazuddin was a 'Razakar', or collaborator of the Pakistani forces during Bangladesh's war for independence against the country in 1971.

They alleged Minister Hoque was trying to nominate the son of a 'Razakar' on his own.

After demonstrations against Hoque's decision at that time, the Awami League nominated Atikur Rahman Ankhi as the chairman candidate and he won the election.

Many compared the recent attacks on Hindus in the area with those during the Liberation War.

At least 15 temples and hundreds of houses were vandalised and looted on Oct 30.

A temple and several houses were torched earlier on Friday. The attacks were carried out following a Facebook post allegedly insulting Islam.