Hefazat men attacked Sunamganj Hindu houses, claim police

Supporters of radical group Hefazat-e Islam have attacked and looted houses of Hindus at a village in Sunamganj's Shalla alleging insult to Islam in a Facebook post criticising their leader Mamunul Haque, the police say, reports bdnews24.com.

Maulana Ataullah Amin, assistant organising secretary of the organisation's central committee, has denied its link with the hate attack.

The attackers vandalised 60 to 70 houses and furniture at Noagaon village on Wednesday morning before a huge number of the law enforcers from Shalla and Derai police stations took the situation under control, according to the police.

Citing locals, Shalla Police Station OC Nazmul Haque said Hefazat chief Junaid Babunagari and Joint Secretary General Mamunul attended a conference of the organisation in Derai on Monday.

A young local Hindu man post to Facebook criticising remarks Mamunul made at the conference.

Mamunul's supporters marched in the area on Tuesday night accusing the Hindu man of hurting religious sentiments, the OC said.

Nazmul said the police detained the Hindu man the same night to calm down Mamunul's supporters.

On Wednesday morning, thousands of Mamunul's followers from Kashipur, Nachni, Chandipur and other villages inhabited by Muslims attacked Noagaon village with sticks and locally made weapons, the OC said.

The Hefazat leaders' supporters ransacked the Hindu homes and looted valuables after the residents fled the village, he said.

The authorities have deployed members of Rapid Action Battalion along with police personnel in the area.