DACCA: The East Pakistan Rifles was called out to restore order in Parbmatipur, a big railway junction in Dinajpur district, where a 15-hour curfew beginning from 3 p.m. today [March 18] was imposed following the eruption of serious violence.

In the violence which followed a clash between processionists and others, 200 people were officially stated to have been injured and about 1,000 houses were burnt down. Of the 24 seriously injured persons, one had succumbed to his injuries by evening.

According to [agency] correspondent now on the spot, the trouble originated in the morning when a students’ procession brought out to press for the acceptance of their 11-point demands [clashed] with some people.

The clash turned the groups into mobs which started setting fire to houses indiscriminately. In the twinkling of an eye, houses in Rahmat Nagar, Naya Bazar, Mahbub Nagar, Purana Bazar, Behari Camp, American Camp and other adjoining areas were ablaze. In the conflagration, about 1,000 buildings, including one rice mill, were ablaze, affecting nearly 50,000 persons. — Agency

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2019