Five people have been arrested in a joint operation over their suspected involvement in an attack on a Hindu neighborhood in Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila.

“Five persons have already been arrested in a joint operation in a case filed in this connection,” said a press release issued today by the Police Headquarters.

According to the release, unidentified individuals vandalized, looted, and attacked homes in the Hindu neighborhood of Aldadpur Balapara village under Betgari union, reportedly following a Facebook post that allegedly hurt religious sentiments.

Following the incident, Rabindranath Roy (55), a resident of the affected area, lodged a complaint at Gangachara Model Police Station on July 29. The complaint accused between 1,000 to 1,200 unidentified people of involvement in the attack.

The case was filed under Sections 149, 447, 448, 332, 333, 353, 379, 380, 427, and 34 of the Penal Code, covering charges such as unlawful assembly, trespassing, assault on public servants, theft, and mischief.

The attack reportedly occurred after protests erupted in the area over a social media post allegedly made by a local teenager. Law enforcement officials said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend others involved in the incident.

MN/