People at the Daqahlia village of al-Nozha set fire to houses owned by supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, which security authorities suspect were involved in the murder of a police agent and his uncle, eyewitnesses said Tuesday.
The witnesses said the residents had fled their homes and farmlands before angry villagers set them on fire. The incident prompted security forces to intensify their presence in the area and impose a curfew.
Investigations have pointed to five unknown attackers who were involved in a drive-by shooting that killed the policeman and his uncle.
While security authorities have said the identities of the attackers are yet to be determined, enraged citizens singled out two people whom they said had previously brawled with the victims, leading to the policeman’s father's leg injury.
The prosecution has ordered investigations into the identities of both the killers and the arsonists.
Hundreds of army personnel and policemen have been killed since the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. While most of the attacks were claimed by Islamist extremist groups, authorities have blamed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood of perpetrating them. The group frequently denies these allegations and stresses its dedication to peacefulness.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
