Tensions High in Faridpur Following Fatal Assault Linked to Temple Fire Incident

District correspondent
Publish: 25 Apr 2024, 03:02 PM

File photo.
Faridpur, Bangladesh – A tense atmosphere has enveloped Faridpur's Madhukhali area following the fatal beating of two brothers, an incident connected to a fire at the local Barowari temple in Dumain. In response to the violence, locals have erected roadblocks, demanding justice for the accused. To manage the escalating situation, the district administration deployed four platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Tuesday evening.
Md. Kamrul Ahsan Talukdar, the District Commissioner of Faridpur, confirmed the deployment. He stated that two platoons are actively patrolling Madhukhali while the remaining forces are stationed throughout Faridpur town and other strategic locations across the district.
This recent mobilization marks the second time BGB forces have been deployed in the area this month, with an initial deployment last Friday and a subsequent withdrawal by Monday.
The incident that sparked the current unrest occurred last Thursday evening when a fire broke out at the Barowari temple in the Panchpalli area of Dumain Union. Suspicion quickly fell on construction workers at a nearby government primary school, who were brutally attacked by a mob, resulting in the deaths of two brothers. The tragedy has led to the filing of three separate lawsuits, and multiple police and administrative bodies are currently conducting investigations.
In protest, a significant human chain was organized by the community near the Madhukhali Eidgah grounds adjacent to the Dhaka-Khulna highway on Tuesday morning. The demonstrations soon escalated, and by mid-morning, protesters had barricaded sections of the highway from Madhukhali market to Bagat using tires, logs, and bricks. When police intervened, clashes occurred, leading to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. The confrontations resulted in at least 15 injuries.
The situation remains tense as authorities continue to work towards restoring peace and order in the region.