Local BNP MP fanned Ramu violence: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Star Online report

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday blamed local BNP lawmaker Lutfur Rahman Kajal of instigating the violence in Ramu on the night of September 29.



Quoting opposition leader's claim that the government was involved in Ramu violence, Hasina said as per the report, a union parishad chairman and local administration had tried hard to calm the mob around 11:30pm on that night.



But the local BNP lawmaker went to the spot at around midnight and instigated the mob by delivering provocative remarks, Hasina said.



She was addressing the Ramu people during a rally of religious harmony at Ramu Khijari Boys High School of Cox's Bazar.



The premier also sought answer from the BNP lawmaker asking, "What did you say to the mob that instigated them to resort to violence?"



"You (BNP MP) have to answer it," she said.



Mentioning that there is no room for fundamentalists in the country, Hasina urged the locals to form an all-party peace committee to ensure peace in the area.



Muslim fanatics attacked Ramu's Buddhist community on September 29 and reduced to ashes many of their pagodas and homes.



The attack was apparently triggered when a Buddhist youth allegedly tagged a photo on Facebook that was insulting to the holy Quran. Later, the violence spread to Ukhia and Teknaf of Cox's Bazar and Patiya of Chittagong.



The premier told the Ramu people on Monday that the culprits involved in Ramu and Chittagong violence would not be spared.



She also assured the Ramu people of bringing the perpetrators of the attack to justice.



"The real culprits will be identified through video footage and will be brought to book," Hasina said.



Hasina said Islam does not support interference in other religion and attack on the place of worship.



"Those who were involved with the violence do not have faith in Islam," she said.



She said the attack on the Buddhists is like the attack of Pakistani forces on Bangladeshi people during the 1971 Liberation War.



She claimed that those who attacked the minorities after 2001 election, killed Nazirhat College principal Gopal Krishna Muhuri and who became champion in corruption, were involved with the violence.



The premier also said the government has already started distributing Tk 3.42 crore to 107 affected families.



Hasina also meet Satyapriya Mahathero, head of the monasteries during her visit.



The premier is schedule to hold meeting with local Awami League leaders at Cox's Bazar Circuit House in the afternoon.



She will also hold another meeting with local law enforcement agencies.





Earlier around 10:45am, the premier reached Ramu and visited four monasteries destroyed during the attack, reports our Chittagong correspondent.



The monasteries are: Ramu Central Sima Bihar, Lal Ching Bihar, Sada Ching Bihar and Charangong Bihar.



In the backdrop of the communal violence, the premier reached Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila around 10:15am Monday and visited Ramu.