Police find negligence of own personnel, political feud in attacks on Hindus

The home minister saw no police fault in the attacks on Hindus in Brahmanbarhia, but a police investigation has found negligence of their own personnel in protecting the minorities.

The investigation, the report on which was submitted to the Police Headquarters on Monday, found rivalry between local politicians as the reason behind the attacks, probe committee head, Additional DIG Md Shawkat Hossain, told bdnews24.com.

"Besides that, there was surely police's negligence. Because they failed to gather information in advance and play any effective role to control the situation," he said.

Shawakat said the committee has recommended action against the related law-enforcing officials.

The victims complained of police silence during the vandalism and looting of their temples, houses and businesses on Oct 30.

Nasirnagar Police Station OC Abdul Quader was withdrawn following allegation of negligence, but Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said Quader had not neglected his duty.

“There was no lacking on his (OC) part. But we think he could have been done more and that’s why he has been withdrawn," he said on Nov 3.

The OC and Nasirnagar UNO Chowdhury Moazzem Hossain delivered 'provocative' speeches in a rally against the alleged insult of Islam. The UNO was also withdrawn later.

Angry Muslim mobs vandalised and looted 15 Hindu temples, hundreds of houses and businesses on that day in protest against a so-called Facebook post 'insulting Islam'.

bdnews24.com investigations have revealed that the feud between Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque, who represents Nasirnagar in Parliament, and Brahmanbarhia Awami League President RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury fuelled the assault on the religious minority.

The attacks aimed at putting rivals in the ruling party in a tight spot, bdnews24.com found.

The political feud was also included in the police investigation report, but the investigators think the matter should be probed further, Additional DIG Shawakat said.

He said the committee made a 22-point recommendation, including some on the steps that should be taken to dispose of the cases over the incident after investigation and some others on the course of action to avoid such incidents in the future.

He said the Police Headquarters will speak about the report in detail on Tuesday.