RANGPUR, Oct 25, 2021 (BSS) - Prime suspects of Pirganj violence, Saikat

Mandal and Rabiul Islam, gave confessional statements under Section 164 of
the Code of Criminal Procedure as they were produced before a court here last
night.

  "They have given confessional statements separately on Sunday before the
court of senior judicial magistrate Delwar Hossain after hearing of the cases
filed against them. Following the statement, they have been sent to jail,"
General Registrar of the court Md Shahidur Rahman told reporters.

  Earlier, a case was filed, by Sub-inspector Sudipto Shahin of Pirganj
police station, over Pirganj violence under the Digital Security Act (DSA)
implicating Saikat Mandal as the main accused.

  Besides, Investigating Officer (IO) Inspector of Pirganj police station
Mahbub Rahman produced Rabiul Islam in connection with another case filed
against him before the same court on the day.

   "The two made the confessional statements when produced separately before
the court," confirmed the General Registrar of the court.

   Meanwhile, the 37 accused persons, who were put on three-day remand in
connection with the arson, vandalism and looting in village Majhipara of
Pirganj upazila, were also produced before the court on completion of their
remand on Sunday afternoon.

   As the IO of the case Inspector Mahbub Rahman did not apply for taking
them on further remand, the court ordered to send them to jail hajat.

   Although a number of lawyers applied for bail on behalf of the accused
persons, the court did not grant bail to any of them and ordered to send them
to the jail hajat.

   Talking to BSS today, IO of the case Inspector Mahbub Rahman said the
remanded accused 37 persons gave important information during interrogation.

   "We are investigating the matter. If necessary, we will apply for taking
them on remand again," he added.

  Earlier on October 17, hundreds of miscreants attacked, vandalised and set
fire to the houses of the Hindu community in Majhipara village following a
provocative post on Facebook from the ID of Paritosh Sarker of the same
village.

   At least 66 houses were attacked, burnt, vandalised and looted in the
village.

   Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pirganj Thana Saresh Chandra said a total of 68
people, including Paritosh, have been arrested so far in four cases filed
with Pirganj police station.

  "The number of arrested persons might rise as drive continues to nab the
other absconding people involved with the incident," the OC added.