Three held over burning PM's rally banner

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi: Miscreants burnt hanging campaign banner of a rally in Rajshahi where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to speak on February 22.

The banner was set fire at Ghoshparha intersection of the city's Rajparha police station on Friday midnight.

City Awami League Organizing Secretary Azizul Alam Bentu hanged the banner as a billboard on a bamboo structure. It was featured with the images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ity Awami League President AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.

Police held three suspects conducting drives in the area over burning the banner. The detainees were known as Papon Hossain, 32, Rabbul Ali, 35, and Utpal Sheikh, 37.

Hafizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rajparha Police Station, confirmed the news.

He said, "A youth in white shirt set fire on the banner after pouring petrol on it. Later, he fled the scene by a street adjacent to the mosque. Several youths were also seen there during the incident."

"Being informed, fire fighters rushed to the spot immediately and doused the blaze. By the time,  the banner was damaged at least 80 per cent," he added.

When asked, the OC said, "We are investigating whether the three detainees were involved in burning the banner. Legal steps will be taken against them if they are found involved."


risingbd/Rajshahi/February 17, 2018/Tanjimul Haque/A K Azad