Attacks on Hindus in Rangpur: Local BNP leader confesses

Local BNP leader Masud Rana has confessed to leading arson attacks on Hindu homes in Rangpur's Thakurpara over an alleged blasphemous Facebook post.

A mob of thousands ransacked Hindu homes in the village in November last year after a post allegedly put up by a local Hindu man sparked protests. Nine houses were set on fire.

One attacker died in a clash that erupted after police entered the scene. Thirty others, including seven policemen were policemen injured.

Police started two cases over the incident: one at Kotwali Police Station and the other at Gangachara Police Station.

A total 159 people are named in the cases, which accused over 2,000 people.

Masud Rana, a member of BNP’s Rangpur city unit, was nabbed on Jan 30 in the Shaleyashah neighbourhood near Thakurpara.

Police questioned him on remand the next day, said Gangachara police’s Sub-Inspector Mister Ali.

“Masud Rana made a confessional statement before Senior Judicial Magistrate Ariful Islam on Sunday evening. He said he was involved in leading the arson attacks on the Hindu homes,” SI Ali told bdnews24.com on Monday.

The court had previously recorded the confession of Engineer Fazlur Rahman of Rangpur District Council over the attacks.