Author:
Publication: Mayer Dak, Calcutta
Date: March 2001
The minorities in Bangladesh continue
to suffer at the hand of Islamic fanatics in diverse ways.
The latest cases brought to our notice by our representatives from Bangladesh
are charted below :-
(i) Recently, one Suranjan Bhattacharya
of Balubari, Distt : Dinajpur (Bangladesh) had taken formal approval of
the local Municipality to construct a small temple adjoining his residence.
As he started construction work, a branch of the Municipality erected a
notice at the venue saying ''No temple could be constructed here.''
(ii) The next case revolved round
Miss Probrita Sarkar (14 years) daughter off Narad Sarkar and a student
of Begunbari H. S. School, Upazilla Savar,, Distt
: Dhaka. As she went to school on January 7, 2001, a gang of
Islamic zealots abducted her at gun-point. She was forcibly
converted to Islam and made to marry a Muslim fanatic named Siddigui.
As the girl's father complained to the Police the gang threatened him with
dire consequences. Presently, Narad babu is moving from place
to place.
(iii) On January 24, 2001, a Hindu
couple (Satya Mondal and his wife Belarani) were attacked at their house
by a gang of fanatic Muslims at Vill : Goaldaha, upazila Sripur, Distt
: Magura. The miscrearts also threw acid at them causing grievous
hurt and defacement.
(iv) Some tribal families at Khasia-Panpunji
in upazilla Srimangeal, Distt : Maulvi Bazar were under threat from local
Islamic zealots. On January 24, 2001, an Islamic gang led by
Rauf Mian, Ful Mian and Abdul Mian (nearly 200) lannched an attack on the
said tribal homes damaging property and indulging in loot.
Currently, nearly 250 members of 39 Khasia families were living in terror.
(v) Lakkhan Pal and his brother
Mahendra Pal have their residential property at village Begdali, upazilla
Abhaynagar, Distt : Jessore. On February 2, 2001, an Islamic
fanatic gang attacked their houses causing damage and loot.
They wanted Pal brothers to execute legal documents bequething the properties
in their names. As they refused, they weere badly beaten and
left unconscious.
(vi) A Hindu widow named Santibala
Dasi inherited part of property of her late husband (Dagg 55 : RS389) at
vill : Raipur, upazilla Madhukhali, Distt : Faridpur. In 1982
then Bangladesh Govt. identified that property as 'Vested'
and took forcible occupation. The widow filed a writ in the
local Judges Court vide case No. 38/87. The Court
later gave verdict in her favour. Ever then the authorities
refused to give possession of the property to her till date.
(vii) On February 1, 2001, a fanatic
Muslim fang raided at night the house of Mrs. Santi Rani ad
vill : Khejura, upazila Jhalkathi, Distt : Barisal and took away valuables
worth over Taka 50,000/-. Santi Rani's husband gave his life
for Bangladesh liberation in 1971.
(viii) In a similar incident on
February 28, 2001, an Islamic fanatic gang attacked the house of Shri Surendra
Nath Das at vill : Nandigram, upazila Sherpur, Distt : Bogura and started
looting property. As resistance was put up, the miscreants
fired indiscriminately seriously injuring several Hindus.
(ix) Currently, a census was on
in Bangladesh to correctly enlist names/particulars of 1971 'Freedom Fighters'.
Lot of complaints were being received from minorities that they were being
ignored purposely to deprive them of possible benefits.
(x) On January 24, 2001, one Awami
League leader (Al Mamoon-Distt : Brahmanbaria) wrote a letter to daily
''Bhorer Kagaz'' strongly criticising the BD minorities causing resentment
among the latter.
(xi) On February 1, 2001 late at
night Islamic goons abducted Deb Mangal Chakma from vill : Balukhali, upazila
Bakhaichhari, Distt : Rangamati and later done him to death with sharp-edged
weapons.
(xii) It is known that fanatic Muslims
caused major explosions at a communist rally at Dhaka on January 19, 2001
resulting in several casualties. A Hindu student (Bipradas
Roy) who was injured also expired later on February 3.
(xiii) On January 29, 2001, a Muslim
militant gang abducted two Buddhist Chakmas (Santilal and Rinku Chakma)
from Vill : Mitangachhari, upazila Kankhali, Distt : Rangamati.
(xiv) On the night of February 11,
2001, a Hindu youth named Uptal Roy S/o late Jagadish Roy of Gabtali, Distt
: Bogura was abducted from local Railway Station and was later killed brutally.
(xv) On February 5, 2001, the Police
recovered a 150 kg idol of a Hindu deity from one Mohd Baban Sharif (55
yers) at vill : Senergati, upazila Kotalipur, Distt : Gopalganj.
It was currently valued at over Taka one crore. Sharif was
taken into custody. Incidently, an organised gang of fanatic
Muslims was resorting to theft of idols to hurt Hindu religious sentiments
in Islamic Bangladesh.
