A few incidents: March 2013
(different newspaper sources).
Case 1: Louhajang, Munshiganj
On the last 03 March 2013 at 09:45pm perpetrators attacked a Hindu temple and burnt statues of Hindu deities, miracally, temple was not burnt. A case has been filed. The incident took place at Goalimandra village at Louhajang upazilla in Munshiganj district. It is Maniparha Panchayet Raksha Kali Temple in that village.
|
Vandalised statues of Hindu deities at Goalimandra village in Louhajang, Munshiganj. |
Statues torched and vandalised in the same temple in Louhajang, Munshiganj. |
Case 2: Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj
Puja (worship) of Goddess Kali was scheduled for 8th March 2013; but on 7th night around 10pm miscreants damaged the deity; head & left arm of Goddess Kali, the head of Lord Shiva; head of Nagini, chest of Yogini were broken by the perpetrators. The incident took place at Shasangaon village at Sirajdikhan upazilla in Munshiganj district.
|
The vandalise statue. Photo-BDMW |
Case 3: Amashu Kukrul, Rangpur
On 8th Mar 2013 at about 3:30am perpetrators illegally broke open the door of the Hindu Temple "Sarvajanin Burimata Mandir" and set fire, then they left. Neighbour extinguished the fire, but by that time statue of Hindu deity "Govinda" and a collection of valuable religious books amounting to Bangladesh Taka 1,50,000/- burnt to ashes.
|
Statue and scriptures burnt to ashes |
Photo by BDMW |
Case 4: Sylhet
On last 22 March 2013 the victim Mr. Manindra Ranjan Dey, a human rights activist of Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), was attempted to murder. Last year the same perpetrators tried several times to grab Hindu land with temple. They demolished Pratima (statues of deities), houses, and also harassed the wife of the priest of the temple Ms. Diba Rani Dey. Attackers caught Ms. Diba, tied her body with a bamboo and harassed her sexually. 
Case 5: Chandbarhi, Gopalpur, Tangail
Perpetrators continuously demanded money for extortion from poor Hindu families. Previously they collected more than twenty thousands taka from the Hindus and also seized a mobile phone from a young Hindu boy. They again demanded BDT 50,000 threatening or else housewives will be abducted and houses will be burnt. Mr. Ranglal Chandra Pal and 13 Hindu families are the victims of this case. They are living at village of Chandbarhi under Gopalpur upazila in Tangail district.
Case 6: Kashimpur, Joydebpur, Gazipur
Vandalising statue of Hindu deity that hurt religious sentiment of Hindus
In Gazipur district under Jaydebpur police station there is a local market place named Kashimpur. In the market there is a Hindu temple of Goddess Kali. A statue of Goddess Saraswati was also established there. Some perpetrators vandalised the statue of Goddess Saraswati on 2nd Mar 2013 at night.
|
|
Case 7: Kashimpur, Joydebpur, Gazipur
On the 19th March 2013 in dark of night perpetrators vandalised the statues of Hindu deities of a temple named Krpamayee Kali Mandir at the village of Marta Dakshinpara at Prahladpur Union Council under Sripur Police Station in Gazipur district. The perpetrators vandalised the statues of Goddess Lakshmi. They also broke the heads of the statues of Goddess Kali, Dakini, Yogini, Asur and Lord Shiva and stole the heads of the statues.
Vandalised temple and statues of goddess Kali, Lord Shiva, Nagini and Yogini at Sripur, Gazipur |
Two helpless devotees standing in front of vandalised deities. Photo by BDMW |
Case 8: Muksudpur, Gopalganj
On 30 December 2012 at about 7.10am the victim girl Ms. Basana was going to her college from her home. It was the village of Batikamari under Muksudpur police station in Gopalganj district. While passing by a GrameenPhone tower at Batikamari village towards the college of victim Ms. Basana Chakravarty, some perpetrators namely 1) Joynal Sheikh (20) son of Motaleb Sheikh, 2) Tara Sheikh (27) son of Lal Chand Sheikh and 3) Lal Chand Sheikh son of late Afzal Sheikh appeared with a microbus and forcefully kidnapped her from the road and proceeded towards unknown destination. At the time of kidnapping some eye witnesses namely 1) Shankar Chakravarty 2) Mahadev Chakravarty 3) Sentu Khandakar 4) Md. Rafique Munshi and 5) Nazrul Khandakar saw the event of kidnapping on the time of occurrence. Mr. Arup Kumar Chakravarty, father of the victim, filed a case at Muksudpur police station in Gopalganj against the perpetrators. The case number is 02, dated 08.01.2013, under section 7/30 of Women and Children Repression Act, 2003. The victim is now under Safe Custody of District Magistrate of Gopalganj. On 28.02.2013 early morning some perpetrators set fire on house of Mr. Arup Kumar Chakravarty (68), the father of the abducted girl. At that moment Mr. Chakravarty became mute and just watched his house burning. He had a brain stroke on that very moment on 28.02.2013. He was hospitalised and died on 07.03.2013 at 9pm.
Abducted girl Ms. Basana Chakravarty |
Helpless parents of Basana Chakravarty. Photo by BDMW |
Friday, March 1, 2013
Hindus under attack
6 temples, houses burnt outside Dhaka
The charred remains of a house burnt by Jamaat-Shibir men in Noakhali yesterday. Photo: Banglar Chokh
Lashing a déjà vu of 1971, Jamaat-Shibir fanatics yesterday wrecked havoc on the Hindu community across the country.
They damaged at least six temples, including one of Buddhists, and torched houses and business establishments of Hindu people in Noakhali, Gaibandha, Chittagong, Rangpur, Sylhet, Chapainawabganj and elsewhere in the country.
In Rajganj of Noakhali, Jamaat-Shibir men set ablaze a temple and eight houses of the Hindu community.
They also traded bullets with law enforcers in Datterhat under Sadar Police Station and in Rajganj under Begumganj Police Station, leaving two people killed. The deceased were identified as Khokon, 17, a pickup van assistant, and Liton (28), a fish monger, reports our Noakhali correspondent.
The Jamaat-Shibir men also looted a jewellery shop owned by one Biplob Sarkar at Chandraganj Purbo Bazar in Begumganj.
Witnesses and police said hours after top Jamaat leaders Delawar Hossain Sayedee had been sentenced to death, the marauding activists equipped with firearms, iron rods and kerosene set fire to Harishiva temple in Rajganj market area at 3:30pm.
"They returned an hour later. This time we were left with no choice but to flee the area, as they started torching our houses with kerosene," schoolteacher Shankar Chandra, who lost his house in the attack, told The Daily Star over the phone.
Some 50 Hindu people used to live in the houses burnt down, he said, adding that all but a few people had managed to escape to safety. Those left behind had been beaten up and kicked out of their houses by the Jamaat-Shibir attackers.
"We ran for our lives leaving everything behind. I was only seven during the Liberation War in 1971, but it didn't feel this insecure even then," said Shankar Chandra.
Assistant Police Superintendent (ASP) of Begumganj circle Mahbub Alam told The Daily Star that informed of the arson, police and firefighters had reached Rajganj around 5:00pm. Police had a hard time containing the violence in the area, as Jamaat-Shibir men had outnumbered the law enforcers.
CHITTAGONG
Jamaat-Shibir men attacked two Hindu-majority localities at Jaldi union of Banshkhali upazila and set ablaze a Buddhist temple at Satkania upazila of the district on 28 February.
They set fire to houses at Dhopapara and Mohajonpara of the union and attacked people with sticks, iron rods and sharp weapons, said Inspector Md Shahjahan of Banshkhali Police Station.
Two people had been critically wounded in the attack, said the inspector, adding that the injured had been undergoing treatment at upazila health complex.
Jamaat-Shibir men also set ablaze three shops belonging to Hindu people at Kaliaish union of Satkania upazila, said Additional Superintendent (South) Md Iltutmish of Chittagong Metropolitan Police.
GAIBANDHA
Rioters of Jamaat-e-Islami and student body Islamic Chhatra Shibir attacked a temple and business establishments belonging to Hindus at Bhelkobazar in Sundarganj upazila of the district yesterday afternoon.
Later in the evening, they swooped on and vandalised some houses in Shovaganj union.
Meanwhile, Hindu community leaders last night told The Daily Star that vandalism, arson and looting took place in temples, houses and business establishments of Hindu people in Sylhet, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Laxmipur and Chapainawabganj.
According to them, attackers had vandalised the central Kali temple at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur and another at Kansat in Chapainawabganj.
"We are observing the situation. So far we have heard they had attacked and vandalised temples, houses and business establishments of Hindu people at least in 10 districts," said Nirmal Chatterjee, secretary general of Dhaka Mahanagar Puja Committee.
"We have informed law enforcers of the situation and sought security to the Hindu community," he added. (Source: The Daily Star)
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Jamaat's Attacks on Minority Communities
1) The ruins of the Hindu neighbourhood of Dhopapara in Banshkhali, Chittagong after the belligerent activists and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir torched all houses and a temple there on Thursday. 2) A man offering prayers in the burnt down temple of Dhopapara. 3) A man trying to salvage whatever he can in the wreckage of Banshkhali Upazila Parishad, which also came under the Jamaat-Shibir arson attack on Thursday. 4) A shattered idol of a Hindu goddess in a temple at Dumuria in Morelganj upazila, Bagerhat following an attack of zealots early yesterday. 5) The remains of an early Friday attack on the Pinglakathi Hindu temple in Gournadi, Barisal. 6) Two Hindu girls in sullen silence look through their damaged books on the ruins of their house in Rajganj union of Noakhali's Begumganj upazila where religious fanatics ravaged through several Hindu neighbourhoods on Thursday. 7) Another destroyed Hindu neighbourhood in the union. 8) An elderly woman has a vacant look on her face and tears roll down her cheeks after her home was destroyed by the fanatics in Rajganj. Photo: Star, Focus Bangla (Source: The Daily Star)
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Attack on Hindus
Reeling from shock
Afraid to go to school
The Thakur and Banikya children in front of their destroyed homes at Rajganj of Begumganj in Noakhali. Shell shocked in the Jamaat-Shibir attack, they are now too scared to go out of their homestead let alone to school. Photo: Star
Residents of Begumganj upazila in Noakhali still could not get over the day of terror. All of them are on edge since some religious bigots swooped on a section of people on Thursday just because of their minority status.
The attacks on the Hindus were made here hours after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee to death on charges of arson, rape, murder and forced conversion during the 1971 Liberation War.
Arnab Chattarjee, a class-three student of Thakur Bari of Rajganj union under Begumganj, wonders as to why his home was vandalised, his books were burnt and his family members beaten.
The entire area looks like a deserted place now. While visiting Rajganj bazar yesterday, this correspondent found almost all the shops on both sides of the streets shut. Hindu families have sent their young female members to safety. Children have stopped going to school fearing that they may be attacked on the way.
"They (attackers) will beat me the way they beat up my father and uncles," said Arnab. Whenever he sees any stranger he cringes away.
"All my books have been burnt. What will I read now," said Anni Bhattacharjee, a five-year-old girl of pre-primary class. She was seen crying and trying to bring together the burnt pieces of her books.
Like Arnab and Anni, children of Bhuiyan Bari, Mali Bari, Acharjee Bari, Aldinagar Banikya para, Kuri Bari and Kalirhat of Rajganj are struggling to come out of the trauma they have gone through.
Unidentified criminals damaged at least six temples, torched 36 houses and vandalised 40 others after looting those at Alampur and Aladin Nagar villages in Rajganj on the day. Many of the seventy-six victim families accused the Jamaat-e-Islami and its ally BNP of the attacks but leaders of the parties' district units denied the allegation.
The Hindus are now fearing further attacks while the Muslim population of the area are dreading arrests.
"The miscreants attacked my shop on that day (Thursday). Now, I have been keeping my shop closed to avoid further trouble," said Pintu Kumar Kuri, owner of a jewellary shop at Rajganj bazar.
A restaurant owner Dulal Miah said police had picked up his son on Sunday though he was innocent. Later, police released Dulal's son in the face of villagers' demand.
"People fear mass arrest."
Many families of the minority community are not letting their children and female members step out of their homes while some have sent their children to their relatives.
"My daughter is 16. A day after the violence, I have sent her to Noakhali town for safety," said Sankar Bikash Majumder.
Meanwhile, some victims have brought corruption allegations over distribution of relief.
Deputy Commissioner Sirajul Islam refuted such claims and said relief materials were being distributed transparently.
"We are distributing relief materials according to the need of the victims — to repair their houses and bring those back to the previous condition."
The district administration has donated a sack of rice, 5kg of pulses, 5kg of potato for each of the families that came under attack on Thursday and 50 blankets, 160 bundles of tin-sheet and Tk 4.80 lakh for all.
Besides, Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, general secretary and MP of Noakhali-4 constituency, donated Tk 3.80 lakh.
Administrator of Zila Parishad has promised to donate Tk 6 lakh for repairing the six temples and Tk 50,000 for each victim family. Gandhi Asram Trust in Noakhali has bought clothes and cutlery for victim families.
Two cases have been filed in connection with the incident, accusing 71 by name and at least 1,500 others unidentified. As many as 28 were arrested till 6:00pm yesterday, said Syed Mohammad Ahasanul Islam, office-in-charge of Begumganj Police Station.
In a new development yesterday, a Hindu temple was set on fire at Lakhirpar village, Kotalipara of Gopalganj district, said Tota Mia, officer-in-charge of Kotalipara Police Station. (Source: The Daily Star)
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Jamaat continues attacking Hindus
Jamaat-Shibir attacks on Hindu community and their temples continued in different parts of the country yesterday creating widespread fear among general people living unprotected in rural areas.
Reports of arson, vandalism and physical assaults on members of Hindu community and also on Awami League activists have been rampant since Thursday, when the International Crimes Tribunal-1 had awarded death penalty to Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee.
Khulna
Yesterday in Khulna, more than 300 Jamaat-Shibir and BNP acitivists brought out a procession from Chad Ali Bridge in Amadi Bazar area of Koyra upazila around 10:30am, during the BNP-called hartal.
Locals said the focus of the procession suddenly turned to Dhopapara, an extremely poor locality with predominantly Hindu population traditionally making a living on washing clothes. Within minutes, eight houses belonging to Hindus were set ablaze. While the Hindu men, women and children ran for safety, the attackers looted whatever they could put their hands on.
The attackers soon swooped on to nearby Amadi Bazar. They broke into eight to 10 shops belonging to local Hindus and looted them before being dispersed by Border Guard Bangladesh and police personnel around noon.
Meanwhile, the attack left a woman and a young man injured. They were admitted to the local health complex.
Amiya and Apurbo Das, who lost their home in the attack, said neighbours had tried to douse the fire but their thatched house stood no chance. Others who lost their houses to the arson include Subodh Das, Kartik Das and Sona Das. Each of the victim families had more than one thatched house. The attackers also torched a prayer room set up inside a house.
"We do not know what to do and are living in fear of further attacks," said Apurbo Das. Locals said the attackers also unleashed violent assaults on several residents.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khairul Kabir of Koyra Police Station said they had arrested two Shibir activists from the area. "Two to three houses were torched and looted and about eight shops were looted during the attack," said the OC.
Superintendent Golum Rouf Khan of Khulna police said BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men had set fire to thatched houses and a semi-concrete structure, and vandalised shops belonging to local Hindus.
The ploy in which attacks on Hindu temples and idols were executed, bear striking similarity in most cases throughout the country.
Lalmonirhar
At Rotherpar village in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat, religious fanatics entered the Sree Sree Shoshan Kali Mandir [temple] some time early hours yesterday and vandalised the temple smashing the idol of goddess Kali.
President of the temple committee Subhas Chandra Roy said they had lodged a written complaint with the police and it was now up to the law enforcers to take action.
Gopalganj
At Lakhirpar village under Kotalipara upazila in Gopalganj, zealots set fire to a temple of goddess Kali on Monday around 7:45pm. The fire partially gutted the temple and destroyed four idols of the goddess. The arson instantly drew protests in the area.
Kotalipara police detained five suspects in this connection.
Natore
In Natore, Jamaat-Shibir men are strengthening themselves in the border areas of Lalpur upazila where Awami League activists and members of the Hindu community are living in fear.
On Monday evening, Jamaat-Shibir men in a bid to spread further panic set fire to a temple of Shoair village under Singra upazila and destroyed the Hori Protima [the idol of Lord Hori].
Isahaq Ali, secretary of Lalpur upazila unit Awami League, said Jamaat-Shibir men were capitalising on the innocence of the villagers through anti-minority propaganda.
"The situation is such that we cannot even go to the border areas of Char Jazira, Horir Char and Gorgoria where on the one hand, gangs of Jaamat-Shibir rule and on the other, outlaws roam around at large," said Isahaq Ali.
Chittagong
In Chittagong, Hindu temple Sarbajaneen Magadeshwari Mandir at East Rupkania of Satkania upazila was torched early yesterday. Sukumar Nath, a local resident, said the arson took place around 2:30am.
"We woke up by the sound bamboos cracking in fire and witnessed our holy temple burn to ashes," said Nath, adding, "We do not know who did it."
Sub-Inspector Nazmul Alam of Satkania Police Station said the pattern of all the arson attacks leads police to suspect that Jamaat-Shibir fanatics had been involved in the act.
Since Thursday, Jamaat-Shibir men had wrecked havoc in the area, mainly targeting the Hindu community.
The fanatics have changed their tactics for attacks on the state mechanisms. In Jhenidah, Lalmonirhat, Satkhira and elsewhere they shielded their attack force by luring rural women and children in the front line of the processions with religious propaganda.
Barisal
In Uzirpur upazila of Barisal district, miscreants tried to set fire to Guthia Sarbajaneen Kali Mandir [temple] under Guthia union early yesterday.
President of the temple committee Sudhir Malakar said some miscreants had thrown burning torches of straw and tree branches inside the temple and fled the scene.
The fire died automatically as the branches and straw were not so dry but yet it partially damaged the fences said Sudhir, adding that they had informed the local upazila parishad chairman of the incident.
Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain of Uzirpur Police Station said a general diary had been lodged with them and that they had visited the spot and started investigating the arson attempt. (Source: The Daily Star)
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Attacks on 3 more temples
Having lost everything, Nipu Sheel wails sitting on the debris of her house that was set ablaze by Jamaat-Shibir men at Banshkhali in Chittagong. The religious fanatics looted and torched houses and temples of the Hindus in the district on February 28.
Fanatics vandalised idols and torched temples in Comilla, Netrokona and Bhola districts in the dark of Tuesday night, creating widespread panic among the local Hindu community.
In Comilla, miscreants vandalised a Hindu temple and set it ablaze at Chapatali village of Mohammadpur East Union under Daudkandi upazila early yesterday, said Abul Faysal, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Police Station.
Subhash Bhoumik, a resident of Chapatali, said locals kept vigil around the temple till 2:30am yesterday in the wake of attacks on minority communities across the country, reports a correspondent from Comilla.
"We found the tin-shed temple in the morning totally gutted," he said, adding "Five idols of gods and goddesses were destroyed."
In Netrokona, around 120 kilometres northeast of Daudkandi, another Hindu temple came under attack in the same way in the early hours yesterday. Miscreants destroyed five Hindu idols before setting the temple ablaze at Bangla-Dashpara village under Netrokona Sadar upazila, reports our district correspondent.
Police and the local Hindu sources said the temple was situated on a field around half-a-kilometre away from the village.
Around 11:00 pm on Tuesday, locals saw a fire coming out of the temple. The villagers immediately rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
Tapan Chandra Talukder, a resident of the village, said they did not know who attacked the temple and when it was set on fire. "The entire community is living in fear."
Anil Chandra Das, another resident, told this correspondent that none was arrested so far in connection with the incident.
Anis Mahmud, deputy commissioner of Netrokona, and Police Super Mohammad Zakir Hossen visited the spot.
In Bhola, miscreants vandalised the idol of Hindu goddess Kali at a Hindu temple at Pakkhiya union of Borhanuddin upazila early yesterday.
Bhobotosh, a custodian of the temple, told The Daily Star that they witnessed some four to five men moving suspiciously near the temple on Tuesday night.
Chapa Rani, wife of Bhobotosh, found the idol vandalised when she went to the temple to worship in the following morning, reports our Bhola correspondent.
Gouranga Dey, secretary of the district Puja Committee, said, "We have requested the authorities concerned to take necessary action for safety of the minorities."
On the same night, another group of miscreants set ablaze the cowsheds of 26 houses in Kachiya union of the same upazila. Locals alleged that those were burnt to create panic in the area.
Police arrested Abdul Mannan, 50, a local, in connection with his alleged involvement in the incident.
Moshiur Rahaman, deputy assistant director of Rab-8, said they took necessary steps to find out those responsible for vandalism and fire.
Meanwhile, Noakhali police arrested Harunur Rashid, general secretary of Rajganj union unit of BNP, yesterday evening in connection with his alleged involvement in looting and vandalising six temples and eight houses of the Hindu community in the union on February 28.
Mahbubur Rashid, acting superintendent of police of the district, confirmed the arrest of Harunur, also chairman of the union parishad.
In a press statement, Bangladesh Development Initiative (BDI), a US-based non-partisan advocacy group, yesterday strongly condemned the recent spate of violence especially on minorities and their places of worship across the country. (Source: The Daily Star)
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Schoolgirl raped
A schoolgirl was raped by a gang of masked criminals in Sadar upazila on Monday night. The girl belonging to Hindu community is a class seven student at a local high school. Quoting family members, local quack Dinesh Chandro Roy said, a gang swooped on the room of the girl and forcibly picked up her from there while she was studying. Later, they took her to a nearby litchi orchard and violated her. Hearing the hue and cry, locals rushed to the spot and rescued the girl. However, the gang managed to flee the scene. (Source: The Daily Star)
Saturday, March 09, 2013
More attacks on temples
People of the Hindu community demonstrate in front of Chittagong Press Club yesterday against the recent vandalism and torching of Hindu homes and temples across the country. They vowed to resist such attacks in future. Photo: Star
Fanatics vandalised a temple at Munshiganj and set fire to another in Rangpur in the early hours yesterday, creating widespread panic among the local Hindu community.
In Munshiganj, miscreants vandalised five idols at a temple at Shashongaon village of Sirajdikhan upazila on Thursday night.
Locals found the idols, including that of the goddess Kali, totally destroyed when they went to the temple to worship yesterday morning, reports our Munshiganj correspondent.
Md Abul Kashem, upazila nirbahi officer, and Sheikh Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sirajdikhan Police Station, visited the spot.
OC Mahbubur alleged that a gang of miscreants was attacking the temples in the area to create panic among the Hindus.
He assured the local Hindus that the hunt was on to nab the fanatics.
In Rangpur, miscreants destroyed the idol of Sree Radha Govinda before setting the temple on fire at Amashu-Kukrul in Rangpur city in the early hours yesterday.
Goutam Roy, of the Burimata Temple Committee, said some fanatics set the tin-shed temple ablaze around 5:30am, leaving the idol and some holy books burnt.
Hearing the crackling of flames, people rushed to the temple and doused the fire, said Kartik Das, a religious leader of the local Hindus.
Abdur Razzak, superintendent of police of Rangpur, told The Daily Star, "We have sent a police team to the area and started an investigation to find out those responsible for the fire."
Haradhan Saha, a ward councillor, alleged that miscreants set fire to the temple to destroy communal harmony in the area.
Md Shahabuddin Khalifa, officer-in-charge of Rangpur Kotwali Police Station, said "Dhirendra Nath Roy, president of the temple committee, lodged a case against some unnamed miscreants in connection with the incident."
Incidents of vandalism and arson attacks on temples and houses of the Hindus have been rampant since February 28.
On that day, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 awarded death penalty to Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee for his crimes against humanity during the country's Liberation War.
Since then, miscreants destroyed at least 24 temples, 122 houses and dozens of shops belonging to the Hindus across the country.
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Dilip Barua and Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the prime minister, visited the burnt-out houses and a temple of Hindus at Rajganj in Noakhali yesterday.
Miscreants set ablaze the temple and eight houses of the Hindu people in Rajganj on February 28.
Barua and Rizvi condemned the attacks on the Hindus and urged people of all religions to unitedly resist the miscreants from committing such mayhem. (Source: The Daily Star)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Editorial from The Daily Star
Continued attack on minorities
Mere condemnation is not enough, action called for
Incidents of violence and vandalism targeting Hindus have continued unabated. These have fallen into an escalating pattern. As many as 15 districts have witnessed attacks on minorities. These included arson and vandalism on their temples and households. In most of the places, the victims are left living under open skies making do with whatever is left of their scorched belongings.
Aside from being an abominable violation of constitutional and human rights, the episode is revolting to any sensibilities of a pluralistic society. It brings to disrepute the image of a country with traditional communal harmony and a rich cultural heritage.
Of course, fanatics and saboteurs wait in the wings to fan communalism on any pretext whatsoever. This is all the more reason why the government should have had a risk perception based on vulnerabilities of a community in certain circumstances. Accordingly, they could have spread a security umbrella around their households and temples. But the home ministry was caught unprepared as they apparently did not plan for a contingency. They couldn't nip it in the bud and Hindus continued to be targeted.
It is just not enough to condemn the incidents and label the culprits; for it is the obligation of the state to protect its citizens, particularly the minorities. How we treat the minorities is an important measuring rod of civilisational status of a society.
Human rights activists, civil society leaders and different religious bodies have voiced their concerns urging cooperation of the people and the government to stem the tide of violence against minorities. There is thus a national consensus and a level of public sensitisation over the issue of combating communalism.
It is the duty of the government and the citizens to protect the lives, property and places of worship of minorities. Energetic efforts are needed from all concerned to turn the situation around.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Hindu family's house burned down in arson attack
The house of a Hindu family in Laksam upazila of Comilla was burned down in an arson attack by unidentified miscreants on Friday night, said police.
However, the three dwellers of the house, belonging to an expatriate, Ratan Chandra Das, escaped unhurt.
Ratan's wife Milon Rani Das said the fire gutted Tk 1.70 lakh and 20 bhories of gold ornaments alongside furniture and rice.
On information, Laksam police went to the spot and extinguished the fire with the help of locals.
Ratan's son Niloy Chandra Das, 13, said he was asleep with his mother and brother Hridoy Chandra Das, 10, in their Uttarda village residence when a sound woke him up and he found the house on fire.
He said to have heard the sound of running footsteps while they were rushing out of the house.
Md Shahadat Hossain Majumder, a senior teacher of the village's Uttarda High School, said the incident was a part of a plot of an evil quarter orchestrating violence against minority communities around the country, including Chittagong and Noakhali.
Officer-in-Charge Md Abul Khair of Laksam Police Station termed the incident "an act of sabotage" and said police were conducting investigations into the incident. (Source: The Daily Star)
Monday, March 11, 2013
Attack on Hindus
Arrest culprits in seven days
HC asks police over Banshkhali rampage
Photo: Anurup Kanti Das
The High Court yesterday ordered the police to arrest within seven days the culprits who attacked minority people and damaged their houses and temples in Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong on February 28 and March 2.
The court also directed the local administration to repair the houses and temples and bring those back to their previous condition within two months, and ensure protection to the victims until further orders.
Issuing a suo moto rule, it asked the Attorney General's Office to inform the court by March 14 of what steps the administration had taken after the incidents of attacks and vandalism.
In the rule, the court also asked the government to explain within 10 days why it should not be directed to take appropriate legal action against the culprits.
The bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik and Justice Mahmudul Hoque came up with the order and the rule following news reports of different newspapers, including The Daily Star, on the attacks and vandalism.
Home secretary, inspector general of police, deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Chittagong, upazila nirbahi officer of Banshkhali and officer-in-charge of Banshkhali Police Station have been made respondents to the rule.
The minority people in Banshkhali came under attack allegedly by Jamaat-e-Islami activists after a war crimes tribunal on February 28 sentenced Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee to death for his crimes against humanity.
Yesterday, Supreme Court lawyers Subrata Chowdhury and Anupam Biswas placed the newspaper reports before the HC bench and prayed to the court to pass necessary orders.
The lawyers said at least four people were killed and several others were injured and temples and houses were damaged by Jamaat-e-Islami men at Banshkhali.
But the administration did not arrest anybody and take any effective measure in connection with the incident, they added. (Source: The Daily Star)
Monday, March 11, 2013
Shops of Hindus set on fire, theft at temple
Unidentified criminals set three shops belonging to Hindus on fire at Bangla Bazar in Baralekha upazila of the district on Friday night.
Two nearby temples were spared as the fire fighting units brought the blaze under control in an hour of frantic efforts.
Protesting the incident, locals put up a road barricade in the morning.
On information, local lawmaker Shahab Uddin, upazila chairman and upazila nirbahi officer visited the spot.
Officer in-charge (OC) of Baralekha police station Kamrul Hasan said that a primary investigation found that the shops were set on fire likely with the help of petrol.
Chairman Sunam Uddin Sunai of local union parishad and the owners of the damaged shops alleged that the attack was a part of Jamaat-Shibir campaign against the Hindus across the country.
Upazila Jamaat chief Azir Uddin Master however refuted the allegation.
In Jhenidah, ornaments, utensils and other valuables were stolen from the Kali Mandir (a Hindu temple) at Mahishakundu Swashan (crematory) in Sadar upazila yesterday morning, reports our correspondent.
Temple maintenance committee secretary Ashok Kumar Dey said, a gang broke the lock of iron gate of the temple the in early hours yesterday.
They stole gold ornaments from the statue of the Goddess Kali and took away valuable utensils and lamps worth Tk one lakh, he said.
The committee filed a general diary with the local police station in this connection. (Source: The Daily Star)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Idol damaged, protesters form human chain
Criminals damaged an idol at a 'Kali Temple' at Achim Bazar of Phulbaria upazila early yesterday.
The damaged idol was of Goddess Swarasati, police said.
Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, officer in-charge of Phulbaria police station, said hoodlums entered the temple early yesterday and broke the Swarasati idol into pieces. However, the other idols remained intact, said the OC.
On information, police visited the spot in the morning and talked to the local leaders of Hindu community and public representatives.
A case was lodged with Phulbaria police station but none was arrested till filing of this report yesterday afternoon.
Bogra
In Bogra, a human chain was formed by Hindus in Shantahar railway station area under Adamdighi upazila yesterday morning, reports our correspondent.
The participants protested the attack by Jamaat-Shibir men on houses, business centers, temples and vandalism and arson across the country.
Under the banner of Shantahar Puja Udjapon Parishad, the human chain was joined by people from all walks of life, enchanting "Dharmo Jar Jar, Desh Sobar" (Region is yours but the country belongs to all) slogan. President of the parishad Shibesh Kumar Idul presided the programme. Organiser of liberation war Kochim Uddin Ahmad, former chairman of Shantahar municipality and freedom fighter Golam Morshed, FF Ajmal Hossen and noted businessman Raj Kumar Shaha and others were present at the human chain. (Source: The Daily Star)
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Two more temples vandalised
2 Hindu houses set on fire
Unidentified criminals destroyed around 30 idols in two temples in Jhenidah and Gopalganj district on Monday.
Jhenidah
In Jhenidah, vandals broke into the temple at Angita cremation ground in Kaliganj upazila and wrecked 23 Shib idols around midnight, reported our correspondent in the district.
Badal Thakur, president of the temple committee, has demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the hate crime.
Liakat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, said they would look into the matter.
Upazila Chairman Anwarul Azim Anar said a thorough investigation would be launched to bring the criminals to book.
AL lawmaker Abdul Mannan, Deputy Commissioner Khaja Hannan, Jhenidah Superintendent of Police Altaf Hossain and Upazila Vice Chairman Tithi Rani Biswas, among others, visited the spot.
Gopalganj
In Gopalganj, six idols were destroyed at Kafilabari Durga temple in the district's Kotalipara upazila the same night, reported a correspondent.
Sources said a devotee, Aloka Madhu, discovered the broken idols when she went to offer prayers around 10:00am.
Khokon Bala, chairman of Ramshil union parishad of Kotalipara, said the temple was vandalised by criminals.
Officer-in-Charge of Kotalipara Police Station Tuta Mia confirmed the incident.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Kotalipara Md Mikail said, "We are investigating the matter."
Earlier, six people including a Jamaat leader were arrested on charges of torching a temple in Lakhirpar area of Kotalipara on March 3.
Meanwhile in Barisal city, two houses of Hindus on New Vatikhana Road were set ablaze by unknown criminals around 2:45am yesterday.
The flames were doused by locals before they could wreak any major damage.
A bottle of kerosene was recovered from the spot, but no complaints were lodged with the police, said Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kawnia Police Station.
Touhidul Islam Badsha, councillor of ward-4, and Ashok Sarkar, owners of the houses, said the vandals used sacks, saw-dust and kerosene to set fire. (Source: The Daily Star)
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Idols damaged in Natore, Tangail
Unidentified criminals damaged five idols at a temple at Dwipakunia village in Singra upazila of Natore yesterday.
Locals said the devotees found five idols vandalised at 'Hori Thakur Temple' of the village at about 6:00am when they went there to perform puja and informed police, reports our correspondent.
Officer in-charge Fayezur Rahman of Singara police station said, legal steps would be taken against the culprits.
He suspected that a gang entered into the temple after mid-night and damaged the idols.
A case was filed by the caretaker of the temple.
In Tangail, a Swaraswati idol at a temple at Solonka Daspara village in Kalihati upazila was damaged by unidentified criminals on Tuesday night, reports our correspondent.
The family members of Jibon Chandra Das found the idol damaged after going to the temple in the morning.
Being informed, a police team along with Anwar Hossain Mollah, vice-chairman of Kalihati upazila parishad and Romendra Nath Bishnu, president of upazila unit Hindu Bouddho Christian Oikyo Parishad, visited the temple.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Idol damaged
Criminals damaged an idol of goddess Saraswati at a local club in Sherpur district early yesterday. A worship material was also stolen from there. Police said devotees found the Saraswati idol damaged at Madobpur Club in the morning when they went there to perform puja and informed police. The superintendent of police and leaders of the district Puja Udjapan Parishad visited the spot. SP Anisur Rahman said the idol was damaged in a planned way in a bid to harm the communal harmony in the district. Punitive action would be taken against those responsible for the offence, he said. (Source: The Daily Star)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Security for minorities demanded
The government should take immediate steps to ban the "evil political forces" that are spreading religious extremism and threatening public security, said some citizen group members yesterday.
They demanded exemplary punishment of those responsible for creating anarchy in the country and attacking minority communities. The speakers also demanded security of the minority communities.
They made the demands at a press conference organised by Nagorik Protinidhi Dal (citizen representative group) in the capital following their visits to some areas of Satkhira where communal attacks and political violence occurred.
Reading a statement, Jagannath University teacher Rajib Mir said along with the government's actions, social resistance, comprising people of all walks of life, must be built to combat communalism and fundamentalism.
He alleged that the ruling Awami League had failed to build resistance against the attacks of Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamaat backed Islami Chhatra Shibir in Satkhira and the administration there played a "questionable" role in this matter.
Claiming that there are familial relationships between local AL and Jamaat leaders in Satkhira, he said, "Local administration and ruling party leaders must shoulder the responsibility of the incidents that occurred in Satkhira." (Source: The Daily Star)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Temple in Bogra torched
Criminals torched a temple in Jamindar Bari area of Kagoil union under Gabtoli upazila yesterday. Locals said that the door of the Hindu temple beside Kagoil High School was damaged after it was torched in the early hours. Kagoil union parishad chairman Shafi Ahmed Shapon said that on information, Gabtoli police inspected the spot. Officer in-charge (OC) of Gabtoli PS Ali Ahmed Hasmi said, police was investigating the matter and trying to nab criminals. (Source: The Daily Star)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Hindus attacked afresh in 4 dists
Idols vanadalised at Sripur in Gazipur yesterday. Photo: Star
Yet again religious fanatics have attacked temples, houses and shops of Hindus in four districts.
Since Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee was handed down a death sentence in a war crimes case on February 28, more than 26 temples, 175 houses and dozens of shops of the minorities across the country have been vandalised, torched and looted.
Basudev Dhar, president of Greater Dhaka Puja Committee, yesterday said these communal attacks were demoralising many Hindu families.
"The worst pain for the victims comes when they are left alone after such attacks," he said. "The leaders and members of parliament have not stood by the Hindus the way they should have."
"In the past," he added, "we have resisted such attacks together."
Khulna
In Khulna, over 150 people equipped with iron rods and other lethal weapons attacked Banikpara Pabla Sarbojonin Kalibari Mandir around 9:00pm Monday.
When the rioters stormed the temple, some devotees already had gathered there for prayers. The assault left a person named Khokon injured.
The rioters also attacked Gachtala temple. Over 50 Hindu homes and shops adjacent to the two temples were vandalised and torched.
According to locals, law enforcers did not come on time to prevent the attacks.
Khulna Puja Udjapon Parishad held a protest rally in front of Banikpara Pabla Temple yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, police have arrested two people, Humayun Kabir, 26, and Arman, 18, in this connection, said ASI Anwar Hossain of Daulatpur Police Station. The identities of the arrestees could not be known immediately.
Netrakona
In Netrakona, rioters vandalised Hari Mandir in Bobahala village under sadar upazila, damaging seven idols.
Temple priest Mithun Chand, said, "I returned home around 11:00pm [Monday] keeping the Mandir under lock and key.
"The next morning, I found the temple vandalised."
Also on Monday night, vandals damaged four idols of Hindu goddesses at Kripamoyee Kali Mandir under Sripur upazila in Gazipur.
Amir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sripur Police Station, said, "The temple, situated on the premises of the house of schoolteacher Shupendru Chandra Das, was vandalised sometime at night. The attackers took away the heads of the deities."
Rangpur
In Rangpur, the house of Nilkanta Roy in Itakumary union of Pirgachha upazila was torched around 2:00am yesterday. Nilkanta said the estimated loss could be around Tk 2 lakh.
Jashidul Haque, Chairman of Itakumary Union Parishad, said, "Miscreants set fire to the house with a view to destroying communal harmony in the area." (Source: The Daily Star)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Attack on Hindus
Temples in 2 districts attacked
This Hindu temple at a village in Gabtoli upazila of Bogra district was vandalised in the early hours of yesterday. PHOTO: FOCUS BANGLA
Religious bigots vandalised five more Hindu temples and torched idols in Bogra and Bagerhat early yesterday.
Bogra
In Bogra, they damaged at least eight idols in four temples at Sonaray and Rameshwarpur unions of Gabtoli upazila.
In the morning, locals found the idols in the temples vandalised.
Shishir Karmakar of Rameshwarpur said local Hindus were worried about the attacks.
The Hindus did not disclose the names of the attackers for lack of security, AH Azam Khan, president of Gabtoli upazila unit Awami League, told The Daily Star.
Bogra deputy commissioner, police super, local AL leaders and minority community leaders visited the affected temples.
Two cases were filed with Gabtoli Police Station in this connection.
Incensed at the attacks on temples, locals in Sonaray and Rameshwarpur unions brought out protest processions.
Contacted, Gabtoli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Monira Sultana said financial support would be provided to the authorities of the affected temples to repair the damaged temples.
Bagerhat
Religious fanatics damaged and torched several idols of Dakkhin Para Sarbojonin Durga Mandir in Uttar Gopalpur village under Kachua upazila early yesterday.
Quoting witnesses, president of the temple committee Pulin Bihari Paik said a gang of fanatics entered the temple around 4:00am; damaged several idols and set the temple afire.
Seeing the flames at the temple, locals rushed to the scene and doused the fire.
Neither the temple committee nor police could identify the attackers.
Kachua UNO Md Ashraful Islam visited the temple in the morning.
Meanwhile, around 120 people were sued in Khulna city on Tuesday night on charges of vandalising and torching temples, shops and houses of Hindus in Banikpara Pabla area under Daulatpur Police Station, reports our Khulna correspondent.
Police also picked up five people in this connection from different parts of the city around midnight Tuesday.
The detainees are Shahidul, 23, Limon, 18, Halim, 22, Shahabuddin, 40, and Shamim, 25.
Tilok Goswami, general secretary of Banikpara Pabla Sarbojonin Kalibari Mandir committee, filed the case, said Daulatpur police.
Earlier, police had arrested Humayun Kabir, 26, and Arman, 28, in connection with the arson attacks. The two were sent to jail through a local court.
On Monday night, religious bigots ransacked and torched Banikpara Pabla Sarbojonin Kalibari Mandir, Gachtala Temple and over 50 houses and shops of Hindus in the city.
Over 31 temples, hundreds of houses and shops of Hindu minorities have been ransacked, torched and looted across the country since the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on February 28 sentenced Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee to death for committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971. (Source: The Daily Star)
Sunday, March 24, 2013
2 Hindu temples damaged
Unidentified people vandalised the boundary wall of a temple and looted another in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali Friday night.
Besides, a house of a Hindu was set on fire in Madaripur early yesterday.
The boundary wall of Rajganj Kali Mandir was damaged and donation box and worship items were looted from Chowmuhani Mohashashan Kali Mandir Friday night, said Syed Ahsanul Islam, officer-in-charge of Begumganj Police Station.
Meanwhile, criminals set fire to a house of a Hindu family in Kulpatti of Madaripur early yesterday.
The house is owned by Uttam Malo, said Madaripur Superintendent of Police Russell Sheikh, adding police suspected that some people had torched the store room of that house because of a personal vendetta or enmity over business.
Fire fighters with the help of local people doused the flames.
Our Lalmonirhat correspondent reported that two cases were lodged with Hatibandha Police Station yesterday in connection with attacks on the Hindus at Madhya Goddimari village of Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat.
Shyamol Kumar Roy, son of assaulted freedom fighter Amulya Chandra Roy, lodged a case accusing 24 people. An assaulted woman, Srimati Bela Rani, filed another case against 26 people. But no arrests were made as of yesterday. (Source: The Daily Star)
Sunday, March 24, 2013
2 Hindu temples damaged
Unidentified people vandalised the boundary wall of a temple and looted another in Begumganj upazila of Noakhali Friday night.
Besides, a house of a Hindu was set on fire in Madaripur early yesterday.
The boundary wall of Rajganj Kali Mandir was damaged and donation box and worship items were looted from Chowmuhani Mohashashan Kali Mandir Friday night, said Syed Ahsanul Islam, officer-in-charge of Begumganj Police Station.
Meanwhile, criminals set fire to a house of a Hindu family in Kulpatti of Madaripur early yesterday.
The house is owned by Uttam Malo, said Madaripur Superintendent of Police Russell Sheikh, adding police suspected that some people had torched the store room of that house because of a personal vendetta or enmity over business.
Fire fighters with the help of local people doused the flames.
Our Lalmonirhat correspondent reported that two cases were lodged with Hatibandha Police Station yesterday in connection with attacks on the Hindus at Madhya Goddimari village of Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat.
Shyamol Kumar Roy, son of assaulted freedom fighter Amulya Chandra Roy, lodged a case accusing 24 people. An assaulted woman, Srimati Bela Rani, filed another case against 26 people.
But no arrests were made as of yesterday. (Source: The Daily Star)
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Arson attacks on temples protested
Hindus hold a banner at Bamunia Palpara in Sonaray union under Gabtali upazila of Bogra district yesterday demanding punishment to the religious fanatics who vandalised idols at the local Kali temple in the early hours of March 20. PHOTO: STAR
Bogra district unit of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad held a rally at Shabekpara-Karmakarpara village under Gabtoli upazila yesterday, protesting arson attack on four Hindu temples in Sonaray and Rameshwarpur unions of the upazila in the early hours of March 20.
Before holding the rally, leaders of the parishad and district unit of Awami League visited the four torched temples in the unions.
Religious bigots attacked and set fire to the temples and vandalised at least 11 idols at around 1:00am.
Chaired by Dr NC Borai, president of the district unit of oikya parishad, the rally was addressed, among others, by Dr Nimchandra Bhowmik, BMA Bogra unit President Dr Mostafa Alam Nannu, and AL leader Ragibul Hasan Ripu.
The speakers demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits who attacked the houses and temples of Hindus and vandalised idols across the country after February 28. They also urged the people of the area to stay united to foil any further bid to attack on the temples.
Dr Nimchandra Bhowmik, presidium member of the oikya parishad, in his speech urged the local people to maintain communal harmony. He also demanded exemplary punishment of the persons involved in torching temples and vandalising idols.
Protesting the attacks on temples, locals in Sonaray and Rameshwarpur unions brought out processions and held rallies in the unions on March 21.
Contacted, Ali Ahmad Hasmi, officer-in-charge (OC) of Gabtoli Police station, said they have so far arrested 14 people in connection with the attacks on temples in Sonaray and Rameshwarpur unions.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia visited the temples in the two unions during his visit to the district on Sunday. (Source: The Daily Star)
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Rape of Marma girl triggers protest
Rape of a minor Marma girl allegedly by a teenage boy in Khagrachhari has triggered protest in the hill districts. (Source: The Daily Star)
An eight-year-old schoolgirl was raped allegedly by a 14-year-old boy in Hapchhari area under Ramgarh upazila of Khagrachhari district on Tuesday morning, reports our correspondent.
Police said, Belal Hossain of the area picked up the girl from her school premises at around 9:00am, and took her to a nearby lonely place. There he violated her and fled the scene.
The girl attending a sports programme at the school on the occasion of Independence Day, said Bashir Ahmad, officer in-charge at Guimara police station.
On information, police arrested Belal, also a class seven student at Hapchhari High School, from his residence at night on charge of violating the girl.
The girl was sent to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital for medical test, said the OC.
Yesterday, Marma Shanggathon Oikyo Parishad formed a human chain in Shapla Chattar area of the town, demanding exemplary punishment to the rapist. A rally was also held in this regard.
Addressing the rally, the speakers urged the government to take immediate initiative to ensure security of women of minority community.
Among others, Aungshanu Marma, president of the Parishad and Konika Dewan, leader of Hill Women's Federation, spoke.
In Rangamati, CHT Mohila Samity, Hill Women's Federation (HWF), Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) and Jubo Samity yesterday protested the rape of the girl, reports our correspondent.
In a joint statement, the leaders of the organisations, demanded punishment to the rapist.
Besides, the culprit must give compensation to the victim's family, they said.
The organisations are the associate bodies of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Saghati samiti (PCJSS).
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Houses of three Hindu families attacked for skipping AL meeting
A group of people allegedly belonging to the ruling Awami League (AL) vandalised eight houses of three Hindu families at Doyarampur village in Kumarkhali upazila on Tuesday night for not attending an AL meeting at the upazila headquarters.
A case was filed with Kumarkhali Police Station of Kushtia district in this connection and police arrested two of the attackers, Abdur Rashid and Ibrahim Hossain, of the same village early yesterday, said Mofiz Uddin Ahmed, superintendent of police, Kushtia.
Shamsuzzaman Arun, Kumarkhali municipality mayor and also general secretary of AL upazila unit, said the arrestees are AL activists.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Syed Belal Hossain, Superintendent of Police Mofiz Uddin, Kumarkhali Upazila Parishad Chairman Abdur Rouf visited the village at around 12:30am.
Police said a group of at least 20 people vandalised the houses of Kartik Ghosh, Montu Ghosh and Robi Ghosh at the village around 9:00pm on Tuesday.
According to the case filed by Kartik Ghosh, one of the victims, a group of 20 to 25 people led by Abdur Rashid and Ibrahim Hossain, came to their house in the morning and introduced themselves as the men of Kumarkhali upazila AL President Abdul Mannan Khan.
They asked all members of the three Hindu families to join the meeting of upazila AL at Kumarkhali municipality market ground in the afternoon, Kartik said.
"As only a few of us attended the meeting, the group led by the duo attacked our houses and looted valuables including gold ornaments," he further stated.
Upazila Parishad Chairman Abdur Rouf has strongly condemned the incident and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved.
Advocate Joydev Biswas, president of the Kushtia unit of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikyia Parishad, yesterday protested the attack on the houses of three Hindu families at Doyarampur village in Kumarkhali upazila and demanded arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Belal Hossain said stern action will be taken against the persons involved in the attack. Law enforcers have been asked to arrest the rest of the culprits, the DC added. (Source: The Daily Star)
Friday, March 29, 2013
2 temples vandalised
Criminals set fire to a temple in Rangamati and vandalised another in Naogaon early yesterday.
Some people set fire to Shree Shree Hari Mondir at Amtali Bazar under Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati around 5:00am and fled the scene, said Md Rafiqullah, officer in-charge of Baghaichhari Police Station.
Police later held a union-level BNP leader and four activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami in this connection.
They are Sirajul Islam Bachchu, general secretary of Amtali union unit of the BNP and Jamaat activists Alam, Shafi, Haris and Ahad Bhandari.
The OC blamed the arson on the BNP and Jamaat men.
Bhuson Som, president of the temple committee, condemned the attack, and demanded punishment to those who were behind it.
Meanwhile, unidentified criminals vandalised an idol of Hindu goddess Swaraswati at Ramnagar village under Manda upazila in Naogaon.
The idol had been taken away from a temple at the residence of Soumendranath Pramanik in the middle of the night, said Abdullah Hel Baki, officer-in-charge of Manda Police Station.
Later, broken pieces of the idol were found in a field some three hundred yards from the temple, the OC said, adding local people informed the police of the damaged idol in the morning.
Soumendranath filed a case with the police station in this regard. (Source: The Daily Star)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Editorial from the Daily Star
Protect minority community
Need for citizens' resistance committees
RECENT attacks on members of Hindu community and destruction of their properties and temples have been a shame for a pluralistic society.
Despite the government's promise to stop the onslaught on the community and its assurances to protect them, there is still no sign that acts of vandalism are abating.
Against this backdrop, participants in a roundtable, while voicing their concerns over the trend urged political leaders, intellectuals, cultural activists and members of the common people to form citizens' committees at the local level to combat this menace.
Involvement of the entire community is an essential element of creating resistance against quarters out to destabilise communal harmony. And any worthwhile programme to deal with problems of this nature must be inclusive.
So far, the government has increased police presence and sent some relief materials to the affected localities. There is need for more of this.
And short of taking a comprehensive strategy through involving the community, the government has been blaming the opposition and Jamaat-Shibir elements for the communal attacks.
As a consequence, fear and an acute sense of insecurity have gripped them. This has somewhat tarnished the image of the government and the country, which is avowedly a secular one.
It is expected that the government develop a failsafe strategy to combat communal violence. Side by side with forming citizens' committees, it should also ensure that the Members of Parliament (MPs) are present in their own constituencies to motivate the people to resist those fanatics trying to destabilise society.
We would do well to remember that how we treat the minority community will be a measure of civilised conduct in our society.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Stop attacks on minorities
Urge noted citizens; NHRC chief frustrated over failure to protect them
The formation of citizens' committees composed of political leaders, intellectuals, cultural activists and general masses in every locality is a must to resist repressions on the minority communities, speakers told a roundtable yesterday.
They said torture on the minorities, which has been a recurrent phenomenon across the country, is now increasing geometrically.
The recent attacks on them, particularly the Hindus, have serious dimensions in terms of its characteristics which lead to a silent but rapid migration of the persecuted people, they added.
Sampreeti Mancha, a citizens' platform, organised the roundtable titled "Duties to resist minority repression" at TSC cafeteria at Dhaka University campus.
The lawmakers will have to go to their own constituencies not only to stand beside the victims but also to unite local leaders and people to raise a defence against any repression, the speakers observed.
They also suggested the lawmakers initiate a new cultural revolution in their localities.
Pointing at the recent attacks on the minorities across the country, Prof Ajoy Roy, president of the Mancha, said the migration rate of the Hindus has increased to a large extent with the wealthy and meritorious people of this community leaving the country.
The marginal Hindus, especially the poor, are the victims of the recent attacks, he said, adding, "We have to stand against the attackers and resist them unitedly."
Expressing frustration over the recent attacks on the minorities, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman said there will be no Hindu citizen left in Bangladesh after 20 years.
"Because we did whatever is needed to force them [Hindus] out of the country and we have always failed to do what was needed to protect them," he added.
The NHRC chief cautioned that whatever has happened in the recent time was merely a rehearsal and the final act was yet to come.
"Are we — the citizens, civil society members and the government — prepared for that? It's not the time for talks only; it's high time we came forward and acted to resist that quarter which is playing a game to destroy the state," he said.
"We have to form citizens' committee in every vulnerable areas," Prof Mizanur said, demanding that the government quickly rebuild the damaged houses and temples of the minorities as it did in Ramu.
Kajol Debnath, presidium member of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, suggested the government get prepared to thwart possible violence centring war crimes verdicts to be delivered in the coming days.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Mujahidul Islam Selim, its presidium member Haider Akbar Khan Rono, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Sanjib Drong and Mancha leaders Sourav Sikdar and Robayet Ferdous also spoke. (Source: The Daily Star)
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Govt fails to save Hindus
Says rights boss
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman at a discussion in the capital yesterday came down heavily on the government for its failure to stop attacks on religious minorities.
The government must answer why the people of religious minorities were living in utter insecurity in Bangladesh, he said.
"The state must come forward immediately to save us from the insecurity," he added.
He also called upon the people to be united to and put an end to murders and destruction of state assets.
"An anti-discrimination law ensuring equal rights for all is necessary to unite the people," said Prof Rahman.
He was speaking at the discussion titled "National Constitution on Equal Opportunities for all: Towards an Anti-Discrimination Legislation", organised by NHRC at Cirdap auditorium in the capital. (Source: The Daily Star)
__._,_.___
