A communal force carried out the brutal attack at Harkali Thakurpara village of Rangpur to harm relation with neighboring India, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today.

Read More: Mayhem in Rangpur

“An evil force carried out the brutal attack keeping in mind the next general election. A communal force did this wrongful act. They attacked and looted the houses of people with traditional religious belief,” Bangla daily Prothom Alo reports quoting Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister.

Obaidul said this while visiting the affected villages of Harkali Thakurpara in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur district.

“Those who tried to ruin relationship with India are living in a heaven of fools. Those who are involved in this incident will not be spared, regardless of how powerful they are. Each person will be brought to book. Investigation is on. Many have been arrested so far. And more will be arrested,” Obaidul was quoted as saying.

The incidents of Nasirnagar, Ramu and Thakurpara in Rangpur are all linked and is part of a conspiracy, Quader added.

Protesting the Facebook post, hundreds of zealots attacked Thakurpara village in Rangpur Sadar upazila on the afternoon of November 10. They torched 11 Hindu houses, vandalised many others and looted valuables from there.

A man was killed and about 20 others were injured after police fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to bring the situation under control.

The following day, police filed two cases with Gangachara and Rangpur Sadar police stations over the attack, accusing 2,000 people, including named 28.