Deaths over Faridpur temple fire: Hefazat wants accused held

Hefazat Secretary General Mawlana Sajedur Rahaman with members of the organisation in Madhukhali Upazila of Faridpur on Thursday

Faridpur, Apr 25 - Hefazat e-Islam Bangladesh, a Qawmi madrasah-based organisation, on Thursday said it would announce a countrywide programme if the accused, involved in the brutal deaths of two construction workers in a mob beating following a fire at a temple in Madhukhali upazila of Faridpur last Thursday aren’t penalised upon arrest.

Hefazat’s Secretary General Hazart Mawlana Sajedur Rahaman made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the victims’ family in Choperghat area under Naowapara union of the upazila on Thursday.

He said, “After watching the video footage of the incident, talking to the locals and the family, it has been understood that the Dumain Union chairman and two members are directly involved in the incident.”

“We urge the administration to conduct a proper investigation into the incident and arrest the chairman and the members and others directly involved in the incident and ensure exemplary maximum punishment. Otherwise, Hefazat Islam will announce movement programmes across the country,” he warned.

Later, the victims’ family was provided financial assistance on behalf of the organisation.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of the organisation’s central body included Joint Secretary General Mawlana Azizul Huq, Dhaka Metropolitan unit Ameer Hazrat Mawlana Kefayet Ullah and other leaders and activists went to the victims’ house and talked to their parents and offered a prayer for the victims.

At that time, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP-Madhukhali Circle) Mizanur Rahman and Madhukhali police station’s Officer-in-Charge Miraj Hossain were present during the visit.

On last Thursday afternoon, a fire broke out at Kali idols of the Barwari temple in Hindu-dominated Panchpalli village.

Hindu residents became angry over the incident and they locked seven workers on suspicion of their involvement in the desecration of the idols.

The workers were constructing a wash block at Panchapalli Government Primary School, 20 yards off the temple.

On information, Madhukhali police and upazila administration officials rushed to the spot but the mob also confined them. Later with the help of Faridpur District Sadar and Rajbari District Police, the besieged people were rescued after a few hours.

Seven workers were rescued with injuries and taken to Madhukhali Upazila Health Complex and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur. Two of the injured succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

The deceased were identified as Ashraful, 21, and his younger brother Ashadul, 15, sons of Shahjahan Khan of Ghoperghat village under Naowarpara union of the upazila. They were both construction workers.

On Saturday, visiting the house of the victims, Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan warned that exemplary punishments will be taken against those who were involved with their deaths.

On Tuesday, thousands of villagers clashed with law enforcers as the public demanded the arrest of the accused involved in the mob beating. - UNB