30 Quran Sharifs kept in Baliapara Mosque in Patuabhanga Union of Pakundia Upazila, adjacent to Katiadi Upazila of Kishoreganj, were burnt due to arson by miscreants.
Police have arrested a young man named Parvez as a suspect in this incident. There is intense anger and concern in the area over the incident. The tragic incident took place at around 4 am on Tuesday.
Police and local sources said that at around 4 am on Tuesday, Lokman Mic Service employees Md. Rabbi, Rabbul Mia and Md. Kausar saw a fire inside the mosque on their way home after finishing their work of the Waz Mahfil. When they immediately shouted, the Imam of the mosque and the locals came to the spot and brought the fire under control with water.
At that time, about 30 copies of the Holy Quran kept by the students of the Maktab on the balcony of the mosque were burnt to ashes. Tension arose in the area when the news of the incident spread. Police and army members arrived at the spot to keep the situation calm and brought the situation under control. Pakundia Upazila Executive Officer Rupam Das, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Md. Shariful Haque and Inspector in-charge of Ahutia Police Investigation Center Mostafa Kamal, Pakundia Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary Md. Rafiqul Islam and Patuabhanga Union Parishad Chairman Md. Ataur Rahman Saruj and Member Moktar Uddin and others visited the spot.
Maulana Bayezid, Imam of the mosque, said that I was sleeping in a room next to the mosque. Suddenly, I woke up to the shouts of passers-by and saw who or what had set the Holy Quran on fire. Local worshipper Qari Abdur Rahim said that the incident of burning the Quran has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims. He further alleged that despite the increase in drug dealing, gambling and various crimes in the area, there is a lack of effective role of law enforcement agencies. This is causing extreme insecurity for the common people.
Mosque management committee president Nazrul Islam Badal said that the locals have demanded the speedy identification and arrest of those involved in the incident. They have strongly demanded that the administration bring the culprits to justice within the next 24 hours.
Inspector in-charge of Ahutia Investigation Center Mustafa Kamal said that a young man named Parvez has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident. Evidence has been collected from the scene and preserved. Investigation is underway.
Pakundia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rupam Das said that we have visited the scene. Locals have been urged to remain calm. Exemplary punishment will be taken against the criminals.
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