Tk one lakh bounty on B'baria arsonists

Brahmanbaria police yesterday announced Tk 1 lakh bounty for information that would help them arrest the criminals responsible for the recent arson attacks on houses and properties of the Hindus.

The declaration came after unidentified criminals set fire to at least eight Hindu houses in four separate incidents in Nasirnagar Sadar union since November 3.

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The office of superintendent of Brahmanbaria police made the announcement at different parts of Nasirnagar upazila through loudspeakers, SP Mizanur Rahman told The Daily Star. 

On October 30, religious bigots in a synchronised attack vandalised and looted over 100 houses and at least 17 temples in Nasirnagar centering a Facebook post allegedly by Rasraj Das hurting religious sentiment of the Muslims.

Protests over the repeated attacks have poured in from all corners of Bangladesh.

Four incidents of arson on Hindu houses happened in 10 days since November 3. In those attacks, fishing nets, cowsheds, kitchens and piles of log were burnt despite presence of police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh members.  

"Honourable residents of Nasirnagar, it has come to our attention recently that a few criminals are secretly setting fire to cowsheds, kitchens and properties of the Hindu community. The district police is announcing Tk 1 lakh reward for help in the capture of or information leading to the capture of the culprits,” reads the announcement. 

The bounty is being declared on the streets of Nasirnagar where the Hindu community is passing their days in fear.

Police have offered anonymity to the informants and asked them to call +8801713373724, +8801713373725, +8801713373727, and +8801713373733.

When asked, SP Mizanur admitted that police were yet to arrest any culprits involved in the four incidents of arson.

"Although we have guessed who are involved in the arson attacks, we are yet to be sure about the perpetrators' identity on the basis of evidence,” the SP said.

“We therefore seek help from the locals to nab the criminals,” said the district police chief, adding, “Another aim of the announcement is that locals become cautious about suspects or intruders.”

Four separate cases were filed in connection with the arson attacks. But police so far have failed to identify or arrest any criminal involved in those incidents.