Rangpur attack aimed at destroying relations with India: Quader

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RANGPUR, Nov 19, 2017 (BSS) – Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said attacks on the houses at village Thakurpara ahead of the next general elections aimed at destroying the prevailing excellent relations with India.

“The attacks conducted by anti-liberation forces at Ramu in Cox’s Bazar, Nasirnagar in Brahamanbaria and Thakurpara in Rangpur are tied with one rope as part of conspiracies to create panic among the minority communities and destabilise country,” he said.

Quader came up with the observations while addressing a ‘Solidarity Rally’ organised by AL central committee on Brahmanpara Government Primary School premises under the sadar upazila to stand beside the affected people of nearby Thakurpara village.

On behalf of AL central committee, the minister distributed Taka 25,000 among each of 11 affected families whose houses were burnt, Taka 10,000 among each of seven other affected families and the authorities of three damaged mandirs (temples) which came under attackers on November 10.

Earlier, after arrival from Syedpur airport this noon, Quader rushed to the house of Titu Roy, talked to the affected people of Thakurpara village and addressed a press briefing there.

Moderated by AL Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP, the rally was addressed by AL Joint General Secretary of AL Jahangir Kabir Nanak, MP, Organising Secretary Dr BM Mozammel Haque, MP, Relief and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary Sujit Nandi, MP, Assistant Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua and General Secretary of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikko parishad advocate Rana Dasgupta.

Obaidul Quader said the anti-liberations forces conducted arson attacks on houses and damaged mandirs in village Thakurpara and none of the criminals involved would be spared.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given clear direction to bring all criminals involved with the attacks under the law, even if they are very influential,” he said.

The minister said the Muslims did not fight the War of Liberation alone in 1971. The Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and other communities equally sacrificed their blood to attain independence decisively giving birth to a secular Bangladesh.

“But, the minority communities are being attacked by the defeated anti-liberation forces again and again,” he said and apprehended that the conspiracies of vested quarters are going on to conduct similar attacks till the next general elections.

“All criminals involved with the attacks are not arrested though nine days have already expired since the incident,” Quader said and directed police to nab all criminals to ensure their exemplary punishments so that such incidents were not repeated in future.

The Minister called upon the local leaders and workers and AL, its associate bodies, 14-party alliance, pro-liberation and secular forces to stand beside the affected families with all assistance, saying that the attackers are minority, not the affected community.

“The next general elections are nearing… We have excellent relations with India. So, the vested quarters are hatching conspiracies and conducting such attacks to create rifts in the relations to destabilise the country and fish in troubled water,” Quader said.

Quader hoped that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina might come and attend a huge public rally at Thakurpara village after the Rangpur City Corporation polls scheduled to be held on December 21.

Acting President of district AL Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, city AL President Shafiur Rahman Shafi, General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal, Sadar upazila Chairman Nasima Zaman Boby and Mayor of Pirganj municipality Tazimul Islam Shamim, among others, attended the rally, among others.