A court in Rangpur has granted a two-day remand for five people arrested in connection with the recent attack on a Hindu Palli at Aldadpur Balapara village under Betgari union of Gangachara upazila.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Krishna Kamal Roy issued the remand order on Thursday after the investigation officer – officer-in-charge (OC) of Gangachara Police Station – submitted a five-day remand petition. Court in-charge Aminul Islam confirmed the development.
The accused are Yasin Ali, 25, of Singergari Majhapara village in Kishoreganj upazila, Nilphamari; Swadhin Mia, 28, of Magura Sripara; Ashraful Islam, 28, of Dakshin Chandkhana Mayapara; SM Atiqur Rahman Khan Atiq, 28, of Uttar Singergari Pathanpara; and Saddam Hossain Selim, 22, of Dakshin Singergari Choorapara.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, the accused were produced before the court, and the remand plea was submitted.
According to police, tensions flared in the area after a Hindu teenager from the Aldatpur Chayani Balapara area was arrested on July 26 for allegedly posting content on Facebook that insulted the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The incident sparked outrage, and a relative’s house was attacked that same night.
The following day, the teenager was produced before court in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act and was sent to a Youth Development Center.
Despite legal action, unrest escalated. On Sunday, people from Singergari, Magura, and Banglabazar areas of Nilphamari’s Kishoreganj upazila reportedly marched in protest and launched attacks.
Police intervention led to clashes, during which a police officer was injured and several houses belonging to the Hindu community were vandalised.
Later, victim Rabindranath filed a case at Gangachara Police Station on Tuesday night, accusing 1,200 unidentified individuals in connection with the violence.
