Police official instigated attack on the Hindu community

Odhikar

Shavendranath, one of the victim informed Odhikar that on Sunday, the 2nd of June, 4 or 5 people called him from his house when he was sleeping. They identified themselves as police of nearby Tomatola Police Outpost They ordered him to go to camp without showing any reason which he did. On way to the police camp heard an announcement over loud speaker that Shre Biswamar Das Babajee Moharaj, priest of Shree Shree Nitai Goarasheva Ashram had defecated on the Holy Quran in the mosque inside the Tomatola Police Camp. As soon as he approached the camp, Sub Inspector Tofazzal, in charge of the local police outpost beat him mercilessly at the veranda of the camp. Sheeven Babu told Odhikar that D. Katrik Chandra Biswas, Anil Chandra Shah and Bishambar Das Babazee, priest of the Ashram (mission) were picked up and beaten as well by Sub Inspector Tofazzal and Constable Alamgir.

Bishwambar Das Babajee, priest of the Ashram (mission) told Odhikar that several hundred of people of the neighbouring area, including Copalpur, gathered around Tomaltola Police Camp immediately after the said announcement through the loudspeaker. Later, under the leadership of Sub Inspector Tofazzal they carried out an attack on several of homes belonging to the Hindu Community, including Shree Shree Nitai Gora Shera Asram. When Biswamvar wanted to know the reason of their arrest, the Police Inspector stated that he had defecated on the holy Quran.

Then at 4:00 a. m. one Imtiaz Ali (50) of the same village, met them in the police custody and informed them that if they were able to pay Tk. 20,000/= (Twenty Thousand) he would convince the Sub Inspector to free them, which they refused. After a while he (Iraz Ali) returned to them reduced the money to ten thousand for their release. Being refused again Iraz got agitated and threatened them with dire consequences. .

Dr. Katrik Chandra Shaha, another victim told that the following Monday ( 4 June) , immediately after Fajar prayer, several thousand people of neighbouring villages, including Gopalpur village, converged at the camp in a procession and began chanting communal and provocative slogans. In the morning, they vandalised the homes of Ajeet, Anil Shaha and Shree Shree Nitai Gora Asram. They also damaged the furniture and looted the fruits from the trees planted in the courtyard of the Asram (mission). A good number of people including Ajeet Shaha and Sonali Rani came under attack.

Dr. Katrik Babu also said that when several thousands of people were attacking the houses belonging to the Hindu Community, Superintendent of Kacher Kul Madrasha, asked Sub Inspector Tofazzal to show evidence of the charge brought against Biswambar Babajee. SI Tofazzal said that he heard from TV news that similar incidents (of defecation on the Holly Quran) had taken place in Dhaka. He pronounced this through the loud speaker.

Victim of rumor

The gathering mob got agitated when SI Tofazzal failed to give any satisfactory explanation behind the attack. They then realised that Sub Inspector Tofazzal had spread rumours against the Hindu Community out of personal grudge and they had been manipulated to disturb communal harmony. Then the agitated mob, being repentant of their own misdeeds, cordoned the police camp and demanded the punishment of Sub Inspector Tofazzal.

In the meantime, Sub Inspector Tofazzal, sensing the consequences of his actions, sent a message to the higher authorities, including Shaila Kupa Police Station. The message allegedly stated that a local crowd might loot the camp. Immediately after receiving the message, Officer-in-Charge of Shailakupa Police Station, Thana Nirbahi Officer (TNO)), Assistant Police Super (Circle), Local Union Council Chairman and the public representatives visited the spot. Ziauzzaman, Officer-in-Charge and Monir Ahmed, Assistant Police Superintendent tired to pacify the agitated crowd assuring their proper punishment of the accused Sub Inspector Tofazzal.

Aneel Chandra Shah said that a few months before this incident, SI Trafazzal demanded toll of Taka one thousand, through another victim Shuvendra Nath, from Biswambar Babajee, priest of the Asram (mission). And threatened that he would implicate him in arms case if he fails to pay the amount. Being refused he utilised the religious sentiments and incited the Muslims of the area against the Hindu Community to vindicate his personal enmity. He arrested the four people, charged them with false deeds and tortured them brutally.

Md. Nayeb Ali of the neighbouring Agunia locality informed Odhikar that local Member Nawsher, Yunus Ali and Iraz Ali were in the constant collaboration with Amtola Police Camp. They provoked the general people to file before cases with the police station. One the day of the incident, they co-operated with Sub Inspector Tofazzal for attacking the Hindu Community and brought out a procession. This statement was corroborated while Odhikar discussed it with most of the people of the locality. Moreover, Sub Inspector Tofazzal was known to the people of the locality as a corrupt man. This sentiment was verified, while talking to Mr. Shariful Islam Masum, Chairman, of Dinghar Union Council and Mr. Bashir Ahmed, local Union Parishad Member (Ward No. 3).

Mr. Ziauzzaman, Officer-in-Charge of Shailakupa Police Station informed Odhikar that such kind of offence committed by an officer, who was the protector of law and order, was really unpardonable. He also mentioned that Sub Inspector Tofazzal was probably drunk when this incident happened.

Monir Ahmed, Assistant Police Super (ASP) said that a one member inquiry committee was formed and he was the member of the Committee. SI Tofazzal was 'closed'. The inquiry report had already been submitted. Sub Inspector Tofazzal was suspended and a departmental case would be filed against him very soon.

Odhikar, a human rights organisation carried out this investigation on the basis of a news report titled 'Police Inspector's Rumour Leads to the Attack on the Hindu Community' which was published in the national dailies on 3rd June, 2003 with the support of Academy for Educational Development (AED).