BNP activist held over Ramu Buddhist monastery arson attack

COXS BAZAR, Jan 11: Police have arrested a youth in connection with the arson attack on a Buddhist monastery at Coxs Bazars Ramu upazila on the eve of the 12th parliamentary election.
The arrestee was identified as Abdul Yasir alias Shahjahan, son of Ramu Fatekharkul union BNP president Abdul Karim. He was arrested from Chattogram on Tuesday.
Coxs Bazar Superintendent of Police Mahfuzul Islam said Shahjahan claimed responsibility for the attack during the initial interrogation.
Police are working to find out who the instigators are, he added.
Shahjahan will be produced before the court, and the police will seek a 7-day remand for further interrogation.On January 6, a Buddhist monastery named Usaichen Buddhist Vihara (Bara Kang) in Ramu Sadar of Coxs Bazar was set on fire. Locals were able to douse the fire before it spread, according to police.
SP Mahfuzul said they are investigating whether Shahjahan and his family were involved in any previous sabotage.    —UNB