PANCHAGARH, March 12, 2023 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said arson attacks on the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh are similar to the 2013, 2014 and 2015 anarchies carried out by BNP-Jamaat and the recent attacks were monitored from Dhaka and London.

"They had an attempt of creating chaos across the country carrying out violence in Panchagargh. We've told the police to take actions against those who are involved in the attacks irrespective of party affiliation. And step is being taken to this end," he said while visiting the affected areas of Ahmadiyya community at Fultola Ahmednagar in Boda upazila of the district.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, AL Organising Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, AL Panchagarh district unit general secretary Anowar Sadat, deputy commissioner (DC) Md Jahurul Islam and police super SM Sirazul Huda, among others, were present.

Hasan said, "We have come here on behalf of Awami League to see the infernal violence that were carried out on the Ahmadiyya community on March 2, 3 and 4 last. There were provocations before the heinous attacks similar to those of 2013, 2014 and 2015."

He said the attacks were carried after organising and spreading incitements. The attacks were carried out as part of a grand planning of those who want to fish in muddled water and want to create instability in Bangladesh. 

He said everyone knows who conduct the 'Basher Kella', a page on social platform. Provocations were spread from the page, Oikkyo Parishad, a platform against Ahmadiyya, and Fagebook pages of BNP leaders Rumin Farhana and former lawmaker Harun-or-Rashid, he added.

At the same time, provocations were spread by local Jubo Dal joint general secretary and Islami Chhatra Shibir Tetulia unit president. In fact, most attackers were from BNP and Jamaat though they used another banner, said Hasan.

He said the attackers torched the house of Morshed Mia, general secretary of AL Ward-9 unit of Dhakkamar union. They also attacked and torched the house of Jubo League Poura unit vice president Shahin Alam, he said, adding, even they carried out attacks on police box.

The minister said the terrorists had tried to launch attacks on DC and SP offices while they torched the vehicle of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

He said Islam never approves attacks on anyone in the name of religion and the Rasul (SM) didn't say to torch the houses of anyone. Those who attack people in the name of Islam are enemies of Islam, said Hasan.

The minister urged all to resist the enemies, saying the government is determined to provide exemplary punishment to them.
 
Later, Hasan joined a peace rally in front of AL Panchagarh district unit.