The youth arrested over a religiously demeaning Facebook post that stirred mayhem in Rangpur was living elsewhere for the last few years, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.

“We have come to know he was not in the area for the last three to four years,” Asaduzzaman Khan said at a press briefing in his ministry office this afternoon.

“A Facebook post was made from the mobile phone of Titu Chandra Roy. If he is found guilty, steps will be taken. If he is found innocent, he will be let go,” the minister said.

“It is true that vested quarters are trying to hatch conspiracy in the country, but we are tackling it,” the minister said in response to a query on whether Titu Roy is actually guilty.

On why Titu Roy was arrested, the minister said: “It is necessary to prove whether he is guilty or not. That is we detained him”.

Also, the home minister assured that the arrests in Rangpur are not mass arrests and that those identified from photographs and other verifiable means are being brought to book.

Regarding Rohingya repatriation, Minister Khan said that the joint working group with Myanmar authorities will be formed by November 30.

He was speaking after chairing an inter-ministerial meeting on the overall security arrangement regarding the upcoming Victory Day this year on December 16.