Home minister: Culprits identified, 45 arrested over Rangpur incident

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Monday (October 18) that those involved in the Rangpur incident were identified immediately and 45 were arrested.

“Police arrested 45 people over the arson attacks on houses and looting properties at Pirganj under Rangpur district,” he told reporters at his ministry office.

Kamal, also a veteran freedom fighter, said the government will rebuild soon houses of victims of the fire and looting at Pirganj, adding: “This is an unfortunate incident that took place at Pirganj in Rangpur and those who set fire are miscreants.”

He said the incident sparked over a post on Facebook about "Kaaba Sharif", by a teenage boy. 

“The status was given either intentionally or reluctantly, but everyone suffered in such incidents. Our police administration suspected the incident and raided the place where the boy was staying, but the boy was not found,” Kamal said.

“Police were deployed to protect the village and miscreants left the area and went to Raghunathpur union of Pirganj and set fire to several houses there,” he added.According to the information, some 25 houses have been set on fire and more than 90 houses were looted and vandalized by miscreants, the minister said.

He said receiving information on the incident, additional police, APBn, RAB and BGB visited there at night and the government has taken all kinds of security measures.

“But this incident was suddenly triggered by miscreants. There were no casualties. However, property was lost, houses were burnt. We think we identified these people immediately. With the help of locals, we have caught 45 people and efforts are underway to catch a few more,” Kamal said.

He further said: “You know, the prime minister has already instructed to take appropriate action for those who have been affected.”

“Local administration distributed cash, sari-clothes among victims. Speaker also local MP took initiatives and the prime minister instructed them to build their houses and provide everything necessary. We will build their house very soon,” the home minister said.