A report from Janakantha dated
Oct 10, 2001
http://www.hrcbm.org/news/janakant_news.html
15 thousands minority families dislodged
in two districts: thousands of houses ablaze, hundreds of women raped
(Translated from Bengali)
Post election violence and oppression
against minority has displaced more than 15 thousands minority families
in Barishal and Bagerhat districts. The affected upazilas (sub-districts)
are Gournadi, Ujipur, Agailjara, Mullahat and Chitalmari. Hindu minorities
from those upazilas are being forced out of their land and taken shelter
at various villages in Ramshil upazila under Khotalipara districts. The
displaced minorities have taken shelter to various schools and colleges
at Ramshil bazaar and their relatives in those areas.
Islamic fundamentalists have initiated
a rain of terror forcing minorities to endure living in a nightmare condition
in those areas. Janakantha correspondence Mr. Mojammel Haq after visiting
the affected areas today (Tuesday) described that the situation is far
grave than the atrocities of 1971. Those family even not displaced in 1971,
now they are facing far severe condition and being forced out of their
own native land. The oppressed minority reported that due their support
for Awami league in the election, BNP supporters went on rampage setting
ablaze houses and raping women in Chadshi, Bahadurpur, Barthi, Pingolkati,
Ashukati, Tarki Bandar, Narchira, and Sharikal under Gournadi and Rangtha,
Bakal, Rajihar, Chingatia, Ramshidha, Dhanduba, Jayrampatti under Agailjara
upazila and everywhere in Ujipur. With primitive laughter Islamic fundamentalists
raped hundreds of women, removed eye of victims and loot all the belongings
of minority victims. Such primitive and barbaric atrocities cannot be expressed
in words. Mr. Bimal Biswas, a leader of local Awami league described middle
age lawlessness and barbaric rampage in the area.
He mentioned that Islamic fundamentalist
gang raped mother and her daughters of a Hindu family from Uttachadni under
Gournadi upazila in front of public eye. In another incident, three daughters
of a minority family were taken out of their house and gang raped publicly
by Islamic fundamentalist. He also told to the news conference that BNP
cadres kidnapped most of the women and girls from the villages at night,
raped them overnight and released them in the morning. Janakantha has also
reported that Bangladesh government has not taken any step to prevent such
atrocities nor has provided food and shelter to the thousands of victims.
If food and shelter is not given immediately, most of the displaced families
will starve from lack of food and water.
