06/08/2024
Attacks on Minorities’ Houses, Temples, and Businesses
There have been disturbing reports of attacks on the houses, places of worship, and business establishments of religious minorities in various parts of the country. Hindu temples were targeted in Natore, Dhamrai in Dhaka, Kalapara in Patuakhali, Shariatpur, and Faridpur, while houses in Jessore, Noakhali, Meherpur, Chandpur, and Khulna were also attacked. Furthermore, 40 Hindu shops were vandalized in Dinajpur, and the place of worship of Ahmadiyya in Taraganj of Rangpur was also subject to an attack and vandalism. These incidents are deeply troubling and call for immediate attention and action to safeguard the rights and safety of all communities. It is essential to ensure the protection of religious minorities and their properties, as well as to address the underlying issues that lead to such deplorable acts of violence.
Jessore
There have been incidents of attack, vandalism, arson, looting and robbery of half a hundred Hindu houses in Jessore. These incidents happened from yesterday afternoon to this morning. Many have left their homes in fear.
Some eyewitnesses and some house owners said that several hundred people attacked at least 25 shops in Narikelbaria market of Bagharpara upazila yesterday afternoon. 20 of these shops are owned by Hindus. The attackers ransacked the shop and looted the goods.
Bablu Kumar Saha, chairman of Narikelbaria Union Parishad (UP) of Bagharpara upazila, was attacked and vandalized yesterday evening. Then at night, 10 to 12 people entered Liton Kundu’s house in Narikelbaria village with Ramada and native weapons. They took the people of the house hostage at gunpoint and took away three loads of gold ornaments and two thousand 700 rupees in cash. Shimul Saha’s house in the same village was attacked and vandalized this morning. At that time they demanded one lakh rupees from the people of the house. Later they went to Narikelbaria market and vandalized at least three Hindu shops.
Attackers attacked Andharkota village of Jessore’s Bagharpara upazila on Monday night and vandalized houses and looted cows, ducks, chickens, duck eggs, rice and electric motors.
Attackers attacked Andharkota village of Jessore’s Bagharpara upazila on Monday night and vandalized houses and looted cows, ducks, chickens, duck eggs, rice and electric motors.
Bablu Kumar Saha, chairman of Narikelbaria UP said, ‘The attackers attacked my business in the market and vandalized it. Goods are looted. At least 25 businesses in the market were vandalized and goods looted. The people of the Hindu community in the area are in extreme insecurity.
Last night, a group of 10 to 12 people attacked the Hindupara of Shalbrat village of the upazila. 65 Hindu families live in this neighborhood. They go to five to six houses with a black cloth on their face and a ramada in their hand. They demanded subscription from two families. They beat and injured an old man for not being able to pay immediately. They took three cows from one’s house and two goats from another’s house.’
Several people in this neighborhood said that everyone in the neighborhood was somehow in the neighboring garden at night. This morning the men left the neighborhood and went elsewhere.
A group of masked men attacked and looted three Hindu houses in Sekanderpur village of the upazila last night.
20 to 25 Hindu houses in five villages of Dhalgram Union of Bagharpara Upazila were attacked and looted in four rounds from yesterday evening to early morning.
A group of people attacked and vandalized the house of former Dhalgram UP chairman Subhash Debnath in Manikdwa village. At this time they took two cows from the cowshed. Later that night, a group of people attacked the house of Dipankar Biswas in Andharkota village and vandalized it four times. Four cows, 25 ducks, 15 chickens, 40 duck eggs, two sacks of rice and an electric motor were taken from that house. One lakh rupees were demanded from them. The assailants kept them inside the house without getting the money and set fire to it by pouring petrol. They saved their lives with Tk 50,000 in the house.
Dipankar Biswas said, “I left with my wife and two sons shortly before the attack after hearing the news. There are elderly parents at home. I am very afraid. I don’t know when I can return home.’
Houses of Swapan Kundu, Shekhar Dhali, Ballamukh Village, Aurobindo Swarnalongar, Amal Swarnalongar and Mohant Kundu of New Village of Upazila were attacked and vandalized, gold ornaments and goods were looted. Apart from this, a group of people attacked some houses of Rishipalli in Sultannagar village of the upazila late last night and vandalized and looted the goods.
A group of people attacked Dilip Singh’s house in Amrajhuta village of Manirampur upazila last night. At that time, they poured petrol in his two-storey house and set it on fire. Earlier in the evening, a group of people attacked two business establishments of Dilip Singh in Khatuadanga market of the upazila and vandalized and took the goods from the shop.
Yesterday afternoon, a group of people attacked the house of Monishankar Roy of Barandi village, a member of Ward No. 6 of Payra UP of Abhaynagar Upazila and vandalized and took away cash and gold ornaments. Monishankar Roy said that the attackers entered the house by cutting the grill with an axe. They did extensive vandalism. They took four lakh rupees in cash and seven pieces of gold ornaments.
In the evening, the attackers vandalized and set fire to the house of Payra UP former chairman Bishnupad Dutta in Barandi village. Later they attacked and vandalized the houses of Robin Biswas, Yudhisthira Biswas and Mohen Bairagi of Barandi village.
The house of Dhopadi village of Abhaynagar upazila was attacked and vandalized and gold ornaments and goods were looted.
Noakhali
In some places in Hatia Upazila of Noakhali, three houses and four businesses of the Hindu community were attacked, vandalized and looted. Among these, allegations of assaulting and vandalizing the house of Upazila Hindu Parishad president Sahdev Saha in Sonadia of the upazila as well as beating of women were found. Hatiya Police Station and Coast Guard were informed by phone on behalf of the victim’s family, but no one went to the spot.
Talking to the local residents, it is known that around 6:30 pm yesterday, a group of miscreants attacked and vandalized the houses of Dilip Sahar, Lokesh Sahar and the president of Upazila Hindu Parishad of Sonadia Union, Sahadev Sahar, in Sahapara, a village adjacent to Tamaruddi Bazar. Then they ransacked and looted three shops including Ashok Saha’s shop and Partha Saha’s shop in Tamaruddi Bazar around 7:30 pm. It has been alleged by the victim’s family that the attackers are locally associated with the politics of BNP and its affiliates.
Upazila Hindu Parishad President Sahdev Saha told us that the attack on his house was led by local BNP activists Munna and Raju. His mother was also beaten up yesterday in addition to the vandalism of the house. The same assailants ransacked his shop at Char Chenga Bazar around 1 am today and looted goods and cash.
Tamruddi Union BNP President Tanveer Ahmed said about the complaint that none of the leaders and workers of BNP or affiliated organizations were involved in these attacks, vandalism and looting. District BNP general secretary Abdur Rahman said, ‘In some places, Awami League people are attacking Hindus from house to house and trying to put the blame on BNP.’ He will inquire into the matter and ask for action against anyone involved.
A temple was attacked in Dhaka’s Dhamrai
Yesterday evening, a group of 100 to 150 people marched and attacked the house of local Meena Rani Das in Barbaria area of โโGangutia Union, Dhamrai, Dhaka. The attackers broke the main iron gate of the house. He broke the gate to Tin’s room. The assailants broke all the glass windows of the three rooms next to the balcony of the house, some chairs in front of the Durga temple and two private cars in the garage outside the house.
Meena Rani Das said, ‘Suddenly 100 to 150 people came and started vandalizing. I was silent in the other room. A lot of abuse. They are trying to break the temple by going in front of the temple. But could not break the lock.’
Kuakata, Patuakhali , Patuakhali Kuakata Municipal Awami League Joint General Secretary Anant Mukherjee’s residence and a nearby temple were attacked. This incident happened around 4:30 pm yesterday.
Anant Mukherjee complained, ‘BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists took out a procession in Kuakata Municipality after hearing the news of the resignation of the government. The procession comes towards my house. At one point people from the procession attacked my house. Many of the attackers entered my house. Everything in the house was broken. Nothing in my house was spared. The attackers then attacked the temple near my house. The doors and windows of the temple have been damaged.
The attack took place at the residence of Kalapara Municipality Mayor Vipul Chandra Howladar around 5 pm.
Abdul Aziz Musulli, President of Kuakata Municipal BNP, said, ‘It is an old habit of Awami League to blame BNP whenever something happens. I do not know who or who did this attack.’
Mahipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Anwar Hossain Talukder and Kalapara Police Station OC Ali Ahmed called on the phone but they did not pick up.
At Lalpur in Natore, six houses including the house of the Puja Udyapan Parishad president and a temple were vandalized and looted. These incidents happened yesterday evening and night.
Additional Incident of Attack and Vandalism
Another incident of attack and vandalism has come to light in the region. Upazila Jotdaibaki Shiv and Kalimandir Committee sources reported that a group of individuals launched an attack on the house of Upazila Puja Udyapan Parishad president and school teacher Dwipendranath Saha at approximately 7:30 pm yesterday. Initially, they attempted to breach the gate of the house, and when unsuccessful, they resorted to breaking a window from outside. Furthermore, the assailants targeted the residence of his brother Naresh Chandra Saha and the neighboring house of Shimul Sarkar, breaking doors and causing significant damage.
Naresh Chandra Saha asserted that the miscreants not only caused extensive destruction but also looted valuable items including a significant amount of currency, four pieces of gold jewelry, a laptop, a mobile phone, and a sack of rice from his house. This unfortunate incident adds to the string of attacks on minority houses and signifies the urgent need for measures to safeguard the affected communities and address the root causes of such unrest.
Attack and Vandalism Incidents in Natore
In an alarming sequence of events, the houses of Puja Udyapan Parishad President Dwipendranath Saha and his brother Naresh Chandra Saha were targeted in a distressing attack involving vandalism and looting in Lalpur, Natore. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Jotdaivaki Shiva and Kali temples were also subjected to the assailants’ actions, resulting in the destruction of eight CCTV cameras.
Dwipendranath Saha, recounting the harrowing ordeal, revealed that their house stood adjacent to the temple and was promptly targeted by the miscreants following the temple assault. Despite reaching out to Lalpur police station for assistance, they were reportedly informed that sending police support was not feasible.
These distressing incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and security of the affected communities and their properties. The authorities must address these reprehensible acts of violence and provide the necessary support and protection to prevent further attacks on religious minorities.
It is imperative to address the underlying issues fueling such disturbing actions and to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the rights and well-being of all communities, irrespective of their religious affiliation.
The series of attacks on religious institutions and minority households demand resolute and concerted efforts to uphold communal harmony and protect the fundamental rights of all individuals.
These distressing events reinforce the critical importance of swift and effective intervention to safeguard religious minorities and their properties, and to address the factors contributing to such appalling acts of aggression.
Yesterday night, the houses of college teachers Dvigendranath Pal and Ranendranath Pal were attacked in Madhavpur Palpara of the upazila. Goods were looted from there. The assailants hit Ranendranath’s hands with sharp weapons, causing bloody injuries. Apart from this, the house of retired school teacher Kartik Chandra of Bhatpara village of the upazila was also attacked yesterday.
Meherpur
In Meherpur, 9 houses of Hindus were attacked, including the house of an Awami League leader. These incidents happened yesterday Monday afternoon.
It can be seen on Tuesday morning that the house of Pallab Bhattacharya, a resident of Hotel Bazar area of โโthe city and District Awami League Legal Affairs Secretary, was set on fire yesterday. The ground floor of his two-storey house was completely burnt. The smell of burning is coming out from books and furniture.
At that time, Pallava Bhattacharya’s cousin Rajhi Bhattacharya told us, ‘Dada is the government counsel of the Meherpur District and Sessions Judge’s Court. His elder daughter Priya Bhattacharya lives in Japan with her family. He went to Japan to see his newborn grandson. When the miscreants attacked, no one was home.’
Eyewitnesses said that a group of youths attacked Pallava Bhattacharya’s house with sticks, rods and iron pipes around 5 pm yesterday. The house was first looted by breaking the lock of the entrance gate. Then the furniture of the house was gathered in one place and set on fire.
The house of District Awami League Legal Affairs Secretary Pallab Bhattacharya was set on fire in Hotel Bazar area of โโMeherpur town.
The house of District Awami League Legal Affairs Secretary Pallab Bhattacharya was set on fire in Hotel Bazar area of โโMeherpur town.
At the same time, an attack was carried out on the business establishment of Chitta Sahar in the large market area. The miscreants looted the goods from that shop.
After that, Leena Bhattacharya’s house was attacked and looted on Rabindranath Road in Hotel Bazar. Four people in the house were beaten up. Lina Bhattacharya said, ’10-12 boys broke the lock of the main gate of the house and went to the second floor and beat us. Later, he opened the cupboard of the house and took gold jewelry and valuables. While leaving, the furniture of the house was set on fire.’
Apart from this, miscreants attacked and vandalized six houses in Malopara yesterday evening. They beat the family members while leaving.
District Awami League Joint General Secretary Ibrahim Shahin said that miscreants have been rampaging since last Monday afternoon. The help of the police could not be found. Fire service was also stopped. The picture of Meherpur has changed in one night.
Rising Incidents of Attacks on Minorities’ Houses and Businesses
The disturbing incident at Chowrangi market of Isania Union in Bochaganj Upazila, Dinajpur, where at least 40 shops of minorities were vandalized and looted by a group of around 100 people, highlights the gravity of the situation. Eyewitness accounts of armed attackers targeting minority-owned businesses and selectively vandalizing shops underscore the deliberate nature of these acts of violence. Additionally, reports of attacks on temples and Hindu residences in Dinajpur Sadar Upazila and the surrounding area further emphasize the urgent need for intervention to ensure the safety and security of the affected communities.
The rising wave of violence has not spared even the houses and businesses of Awami League (Party of Sk Hasina) leaders and workers, with reports of targeted vandalism, looting, and arson in various parts of Dinajpur. These alarming developments underscore the pervasive nature of the unrest and the need for swift and decisive action to quell the escalating tensions and safeguard the rights of all communities.
The authorities need to address these distressing incidents with utmost urgency and provide the necessary support and protection to prevent further attacks on religious minorities and their properties. Furthermore, measures should be taken to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for orchestrating and perpetrating these reprehensible acts of violence.
The concerted efforts of both the local administration and law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with community leaders, are crucial in restoring peace and stability in the affected regions and ensuring the fundamental rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their religious affiliation.
The recent attacks serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for concrete measures to address the underlying issues fueling such acts of aggression and to uphold communal harmony, tolerance, and respect for diversity within society. It is imperative to extend support and solidarity to the affected communities and work towards fostering an environment where every individual can live without fear or discrimination based on their religious beliefs.
In Chandpur
The rioters targeting the houses of Puranbazar Degree College Principal Ratan Kumar Majumdar in the city’s Adalt Para and Gallak Adarsh Degree College Principal Haripad Das in Faridganj is deeply troubling. These despicable acts of aggression, involving vandalism, looting, and arson, have inflicted significant damage and instilled fear within the affected communities.
Haripad Das recounted the harrowing attack on their house, describing the group of assailants who ransacked and looted several living rooms, and subsequently set ablaze furniture and a motorcycle. The deliberate nature of the destruction underscores the urgent need for decisive intervention to ensure the safety and security of individuals and properties in the region.
The interim military Govt. must swiftly investigate these reprehensible acts, extend necessary support to the affected individuals, and take robust measures to restore peace and order in the affected areas. Upholding the fundamental rights and well-being of all individuals, irrespective of their professional standing, is imperative in fostering a secure and harmonious society.
Shariatpur
A temple in Dhanuka Mansa house in Shariatpur district town was demolished. Yesterday the miscreants broke the temple and took away some furniture. 89 percent of the land of Mansa house was occupied by a local party with a pond behind the temple. The occupied pond was rescued by the district administration last year. Krishna Mandir was constructed last March with the help of the district administration on that land of the pond.
The leaders of the Dhanuka Mansa Bari Mandir Committee said that the attack took place at the Dhanuka Mansa house at around 9 pm yesterday. After rampaging for two to three hours, the miscreants demolished the tin and brick temple. The Krishna idol in the temple was vandalized and smashed. Later in the night, when the army personnel went there, the miscreants escaped.
Dhanuka Mansa Bari Mandir Committee General Secretary Govinda Chakraborty told us, ‘During the attack we could not leave the house due to fear. The attackers surrounded our house from all sides to vandalize it. The soldiers rescued us.’
Shariatpur Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Saifuddin Ghiyas told us that after receiving information about the attack on the temple, the assistance of the army was sought.
A spate of Attacks on Hindu Houses in Khulna
The recent surge in attacks on Hindu houses in various unions of Dakop Upazila in Khulna has sparked fear and insecurity within the affected communities. The majority of the targeted properties belong to individuals associated with the Awami League, intensifying concerns over the deliberate nature of these acts of violence.
Notably, the residences of prominent figures such as Upazila Banishanta UP Chairman Sudev Kumar Roy, UP Member Jayant Kumar Gain, and former Youth and Sports Affairs Secretary Sanjeev Mandal were subjected to vandalism. Additionally, the house of Kailasganj UP Chairman Mihir Kumar Mandal and various other individuals in the area were not spared from the attacks, highlighting the widespread nature of the unrest.
Reports of motorcycles arriving in the dead of night to vandalize properties, coupled with the targeted attacks on minority families and Hindu shops, have precipitated a palpable sense of panic and apprehension among the affected populace. The absence of adequate police assistance further compounds the sense of vulnerability felt by the minority community, underscoring the urgent need for decisive intervention to ensure their safety and protection.
In Koira, Khulna, a similar wave of attacks and looting has been reported, with the homes of school teachers Arvind Mandal and Sujit Roy among those targeted. The deliberate nature of these incidents, coupled with the looting and setting ablaze of properties, exemplifies the grave threat posed to the affected individuals and the urgent need for swift and robust action to curb this alarming trend.
The distressing events unfolding in Khulna serve as a stark reminder of the imperative to uphold the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their religious or political affiliations. It is essential for the authorities to address these reprehensible acts of violence with utmost urgency and provide the necessary support and protection to prevent further attacks and restore peace and stability in the region.
Faridpur
In Madhukhali and Sadarpur of Faridpur, Hindu houses and businesses were attacked and vandalized. The attack took place at the house of village doctor Uttam Kumar Roy, a resident of Bamundi village in Meghchami union of Madhukhali. Besides, the doctor’s pharmacy and Kalimandir of the house were vandalized. The attack happened around 8 pm yesterday.
Palli doctor Uttam Kumar Roy told us that he was at his medicine shop in Bamundi Bazar at around 8 pm yesterday. At that time, 18-35 year old crowd came to beat him. Earlier, the assailants attacked and vandalized the shop of homeo doctor Manoj Kumar Biswas in that market. Manoj was beaten up. When the attackers came to kill him, Meghchami UP Chairman Sabbir Uddin Sheikh and Madukhali Sugar Mill Workers Union President Shahin Mia rescued him and brought him home. Later he went into hiding with his family. The miscreants attacked the houses and vandalized and looted them. The idols of Hari Tagore and Shanti Mata were broken in the house temple. Looted his drug store in the bazaar. He expressed his regret and said, ‘Who do I ask for this?’
A cloth shop of Archana Bose was burnt down in Bagat Bazar area of โโBagat Union. The shop is located on Bagat-Naopara Road. After the attack, the house of school teacher Sanjay Kumar Das in Sitarampur village of the union was vandalized and looted. The attack took place at the Rajkumar confectionery store located in Bagat Bazar.
A flour mill of Biplab Sahar near Madukhali-Naopara road was attacked and vandalized.
Subir Kumar Sahar’s drug store and Tarun Sahar’s grocery store were attacked and vandalized in the HatKrishnapur market of Sadarpur upazila. This incident happened last night in the Hatkrishnapur market.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Faridpur Yashin Kabir said that the army has been deployed in Faridpur. Incidents of assault and vandalism are being investigated.
Targeted Attacks in Rangpur
The unstoppable incident of vandalism and arson targeting the place of worship of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Taraganj, Rangpur, has underscored the distressing wave of unrest and violence in the region. Notably, the attackers not only vandalized the place of worship but also set it on fire, causing significant damage.
The series of attacks and acts of vandalism following the news of political developments, including the purported resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (now in India) and her departure from the country, have added to the pervasive sense of fear and insecurity. The reported vandalism of CCTV cameras at the Upazila Parishad, as well as the defacement of portraits and murals of Bangabandhu, exemplify the brazen nature of these acts of violence and the urgent need for measures to restore peace and order in the affected areas.
Furthermore, the targeted attack on the chemical fertilizer godown of Upazila Awami League president Atiyar Rahman, resulting in the looting of a significant quantity of fertilizer, highlights the widespread nature of the unrest and the impact on individuals and businesses in the region.
The incidents reported by Taraganj Upazila executive officer Rubel Rana, including attacks and looting at Muktijoddha Bhavan and an Awami League leader’s business godown, further underscore the grave implications of the escalating tensions and the urgent need for concerted efforts to address and mitigate the cycle of violence and insecurity.
The authorities must swiftly intervene to investigate these reprehensible acts, provide support to the affected individuals and communities, and ensure the restoration of law and order in the region. Upholding the fundamental rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their religious or political affiliations, is paramount to fostering a secure and harmonious society. Efforts to address the root causes of these distressing incidents and to prevent further acts of aggression are crucial in restoring stability and peace in the affected areas.
Divakar from Dhaka
