It may be mentioned that in the last 7^th parliamentary general election (June, 1996) the Awami League after obtaining largest votes (37.44%) formed the government under the leadership of Shaikh Hasina in cooperation with Jatiya Party led by General Ershad and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal led by ASM Abdur Rob. (See Appendix 2, page 39). The election was held in a free and fair atmosphere first time under a constitutional caretaker government. The Awami League Government completed its full 5-year term and handed over the power to care taker government on 15^th July, 2001.  

Yet in an earlier election held in 27^th February, 1991 (5^th Parliamentary election) the BNP formed the government with the help of Jamaat I Islami on 29^th April. (See Appendix 2, page 39). But because of political unrest and crisis the government led by Begum Khaleda Zia resigned before the completion of her tenure. Following a general election held without participation of major political parties held in February, 1996 BNP formed a government that passed in a hurry a bill for care taker government. Under mass movement the government step down and a caretaker government came into power under the leadership of retired chief justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman.  

In order to hold election of 8^th Parliament the state power and interim administration was handed over to the caretaker government on 15^th July, 2001, and accordingly the general election was held on 1^st October, 2001. During the interim period of about two and half months, the news regarding deterioration of law and order, chaos in administration and over all increase of lawlessness & uneasy condition in the were being published.  
All most everyday the national dailies were reporting such news of violence and atrocities with facts and figures since the beginning of September, 2001 that created serious concern and doubts in the public mind if election could be held at all, and even if it was held would it be fare and peaceful ? The election commission itself identified 177 centres as violence prone constituencies and 70 as high-risk constituencies.

The election was held on 1^st October and result showed that 4-party alliance won in three-fourth seats. It became apparent that government would be formed under the leadership of the BNP, the strongest party of the alliance and a single party with absolute majority. During the days before the newly elected government took over (2 – 11^th October) reports of minority repression such as ‘forcible occupation of lands and houses of religious minorities, setting fires on houses, looting, and hair-raising events relating to raping of women from children to middle aged, married, widow or virgin’ were the news of everyday in the columns of all national dailies and other media. Repression of such ugly nature directed against a weaker section of the population created deep anxiety and fear among the people. Side by side reports of setting of fire on houses, of physical torture, even of killing etc. of workers and supporters of defeated Awami League found prominent places in news papers’ columns. In brief, a picture of total anarchism surfaced through the newspaper-media. A new government was constituted on 11^th October, 2001.

During the interim period i.e. from date of completion of election to date of assumption of the new government although the care taker government existed, but reports of deterioration of law and order alarmingly, killing, raping, looting, setting of fire, etc as depicted in the news media clearly indicated that the care taker government was in effect powerless. Taking advantage of the situation terrorists, miscreants and supporters of recently victorious political parties enthusiastically took part in killing, raping, terrorism and other offence that were published in news papers.  When such news were published in national dailies A suffocating condition prevailed in the country because of such unscriptural incidents.

After the new government taking power under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, the Prime Minister in a statement addressed to the nation assured that her government would take stern actions to eliminate terrorism and against the terrorists irrespective of their political affiliation. Unfortunately even after the formation of the government and PM’s stern assurance no good news of improvement of condition were reported in news papers. On the contrary, new and fresh news of atrocities and repression done by the supporters of the 4-party alliance were published in the press-media. Pictures of various kinds of repression on weaker section population of the society appeared in the press. It was noted that police as well civil administration failed to help effectively the victims and stand by the side of the oppressed people.

Although the pictures horrible repressions on minority communities found expression in the press, in the statements of political leaders, in the reports of many non-government organizations newly installed government at the first instant claimed that condition was quite normal. After some time the government however admitted that some isolated
incidents of minor nature took place. About the published reports the home minister in his statement commented that some were partially true, rests were exaggerated. 

The published news of repression created reaction in the international circles including the aid giving groups. As some of the human rights organizations expressed their concern, the government admitted truth of some events and gave assurance for proper investigation.

Under this backdrop the government instructed district commissioners (DC) to send reports of minority repression to the government. It was further announced in November, 2001 that an inquiry committee consisting of high level officials had been constituted. The committee would submit a report concerning repression on minorities. But no farther details are yet known about it.

 The existing uneasy situation prevailing in the country, imperilment of people, inertness-insensitiveness-idleness on the part of the politicians, anxiety and disrespect to weakness of the administration on the part of the common mass etc. prompted the conscious citizens and the civil society to take some initiatives. Some respectable intellectuals-educationists, cultural personalities, and a few social organizations toured different places of affected areas to see for themselves the real situation. After seeing incidence of repression and visiting post-election situation in different places they found that the events appearing in news media had factual basis.

In this perspective a few socially conscious men called upon the countrymen on 3^rd November to come forward to stand by the side of the weak minority community with a view to save them from inhuman condition and to create pressure on the government for redress of the affected persons. They were Professor Salahuddin Ahmed, Professor Sardar Fazlul Karim, Professor Musharraf Hosen, Professor Anisuzzaman, Professor A M Harun ar Rashid, Professor Anwar Hosen, Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Professor Rehman Sobhan, Professor Sirajul Islam Choudhury, Professor Hayat Mahmud and Professor Ahmed Kamal. Their appeal reads as follows :

“ Recent incidents of minority repression at different places of the country created a deep concern among every conscious citizens of the country.  Many had protested against these happenings, some visited extensively the affected areas, exposed their terrible experience to the public and criticized vehemently Government’s inaction and attitude. In spite of these steps taken by the civil society, there are lots to be done to revive the confidence of the minority communities and to stand by their side in this distressed condition. In order to decide what could be done on behalf of the civil society we want to assemble in the auditorium of Museum of war of liberation (Muktiyudha Yadughar) at 4 pm on Tuesday, 6^th November, 2001 for preliminary discussion. (See Appendix 3(a), page 40).

Accordingly, a large number of honourable members of the civilians of the country met at the appropriate place on 6^th November. A Committee for Preservation of Civil Rights and Prevention of Communalism emerged with unanimous consent. A 10-member Executive Council with Professor Anisuzzaman as convenor was also formed. Other members of the council were Professor Musharraf Hosen, Professor Ajoy Roy, Professor Sirajul Islam Choudhury, Dr. Khalikuzzaman Ahmed, Mrs. Ayesha Khanam, Shri Ajoy Roy, Professor Hayat Mahmud, Mr. Mahfidul Haque, and Ziauddin Tariq Ali. A draft-declaration to be issued on behalf of the assembly was also approved. (See Appendix 3(b), page 41)

The assembly of the elites also felt necessary that a non government Public Inquiry Commission be constituted with respectable and learned personalities in order to probe into alleged reports of minority repression appeared in columns of news papers as well as incidents learned and gathered from people’s mouth. The Executive Council was given the charge of forming a three member Public Inquiry Commission.

3 (A). Formation of “Public Inquiry Commission” (See Appendix 4, pages 42-88)

Advocate Tobarak Hosain, Member-Secretary.

B) To determine if those reports on minority repression were mere propaganda and or exaggeration of political opponents of the present government or of the news media. 

D) If the incidents of minority repression were true, then to establish the identities, social and political, of the persecutors.

1.      Family or Professional jealousy or competition;

2.      Economic interest including grabbing of property;

3.      Communal frenzy and, 

4.      Role of political ideologies.

 The following terminology used to mean :

  Public Inquiry Commission is a non-government and voluntary Commission, and all its members are very busy in their professional life. And the Civil Committee i.e. Committee for Preservation of Civil Rights and Prevention of Communalism that constituted the Commission is also a non-government voluntary organization. Both these organizations have, therefore very limited financial resources and manpower. For this very reason the Commission adopted the following modus operandi.  

Continued from first installment (original pages 4-13)

The Public Inquiry Commission after determining its modus operandi within the framework of the terms of reference proceeded as follows.

The Commission interviewed 42 persons among them were 3 journalists, 12 members of survey team of different humanist organizations who worked in the field level. and 27 victims of representative characters including two young girls who lost their highest honour (ijjat), and a grand old man of over 85 years severely wounded because of inhuman physical torture.

• The Commission critically examined and analyzed reports, features, editorials, articles etc. published in major dailies from September to December (2001).
   
• The Commission with critical eyes thoroughly scrutinized and analyzed reports submitted by the following humanist organizations :

1. Ain O Salis Kendra
2. Nari Pragati Sangha
3. Bangladesh Mahila Parisad
4. Sammilita Samajik Andolan
5. PRIP Trust
6. Hindu Boudha Christian Oikya Parisad
7. Nagarik Adhikar Sangrakhan O Sampradayikata Pratirodh Kamiti
8. Report submitted by Member-Secretary of the Commission.

    

The Commission took into account of Press statements, releases and reports issued by Political and Social organizations time to time, and speeches delivered by important individuals at different forums. In addition to, the Commission critically reviewed many writings and articles in relation to this burning issue including those given in the bibliography.

The main and first issue before the Commission was to determine:

The Commission looked through the reports in order to settle the issue. Given below are extracts of news items as published from 2^nd September to 31^st December 2001 in the major national dailies?

(The news items have been compiled by Civil Committee for use of the Commission and reproduced below without any comments.)

02. 09. 01 Janakantha : Minority voters under threat

15. 09. 01 Sangbad :Attacks on Minority houses at Kachua : 45 injured in Violence.

19. 09. 01 Ajker Kagoj : Minority voters are being threatened in 4 Khulna constituencies.

" Sangbad : Attacks on Minority families at Devidwar: Father & daughter killed

20. 09. 01 Bhorer Kagoj : Conspiracy to bar Minorities going to polling booths

23. 09. 01 Muktokantha : Fear and apprehension prevailing among the Hindus, case filed for setting fire against 28.

•  " Sangbad : Main target Minority Community : one killed in 15 days in Bagerhat, wounded over hundreds, 20 camps     destroyed.

•  " Bhorer Kagoj : Houses set fire for joining procession of boats : horror of  panic prevails in village Utkul in Bagerhat, people are infear.

•  " Ajker Kagoj : Voters threatened at Dumki, Patukhali

24. 09. 01 Ajker Kagoj : Tortures on Minorities, none to protest

• " Janakantha : Attacks on Minorities in Bhola and Feni

• " Janakantha : Images of goddess Durga and Kali destroyed at Pangsha village

25. 09. 01 Prathom Alo : Minorities would not cast votes ? Repression, panic prevail everywhere

•  " Sangbad : Terrorist activities in two Rangpur constituencies by masked terrorists : Minorities threatened not to go to polling centres.

26. 09. 01 Ajker Kagoj : Minority voters are in extreme fear, suffering from sense of insecurity: Doubts prevailing if over 10 million voters- would they be able to cast votes; Even directives of Chief Advisor not respected.

•  " Bhorer Kagoj: Allegations of repressions brought in in the Press Conference of Hindu Boudha Christian Oikya Parisad: Would 90  thousand voters of minority community in Feni be able to cast their votes ?

27. 09. 01 Sangbad : 7 VIP Candidates faces difficult challenge : Minorities of 8 police stations in Chittagong under severe threat

28. 09. 01 Prathom Alo : Minorities in three constituencies in Barisal under tremendous pressure

• " Sangbad : Assaults on minorities, young girls molested, Images of goddesses destroyed : Killed one, wounded hundreds in election violence.

• " Janakantha : For fear of terrorists Minorities in Jessore panicked

• " Ittefaq : Minorities at Kachua demand for security in casting votes

• " Janakantha : Panic at Shyamnagar not over yet : three minor girls of a minority family molested- many fleeing from the locality

30. 09. 01 Ajker Kagoj : Threats to Minorities at Bagerhat and Jhalakathi- Temple of goddess Kali destructed, wounded 8

01. 10. 01 Prathom Alo : Pressure increasing on Minorities in Bhola

• " Sangbad : 7 members of minority community at Nalchhiti village beaten to injury : 3 supporters of Elen Bhutto arrested

• " Sangbad : Terrorist attacks on minorities at Munshiganj : Given threats not to go to polling stations

• " Sangbad : Minority situation: two killed in Comilla, 50 residences under attack at Narsingdi

• " Sangbad : 163 killed in political violence: Minority voters in 33 districts under severe threats and pressure

• " Sangbad : Fire set on houses of members of minority community at Rawzan : Threatening continuing

• " Janakantha : How the voting rights of minority voters at Satkania snatched away ....

• " Ajker Kagoj : Minority voters of 4 villages at Banaripara under besiege at the hands of Bichhu Bahini cadres.

After Election

02. 10. 01 Janakantha : Houses of 15 families of minorities in Sylhet locked: Cast votes in procession with the help of police

02. 10. 01 Janakantha : Communal evil force created barricade against minorities casting votes

03. 10. 01 Muktokantha : Attacks on temples from Jamaati procession in Khulna : Images of goddess destructed

• " Ajker Kagoj : Fanatic frenzies let loose by Jamaat-Shibir at Pirojpur

• " Prathom Alo : Attacks on residences of Minorities in Bhola : Panic and fear not over yet.

04. 10. 01 Bhorer Kagoj : Assaults on Minority-localities at Ukhiya

• " Ajker Kagoj : Assaults on Minorities at Narsinghdi

• " Ajker Kagoj : Bir Bahadur elected at Bandarban : BNP terrorists attacked Buddhist temples, images broken

• " Prathom Alo : BNP urge its supporters to keep quiet in Bhola ; Attacks on  AL and religious minorities in Bhola

• " Janakantha : BNP frenzies let loose in Barisal : Minorities under threat, houses brought down, forcible occupation & reoccupation continuing unabated

• " Sangbad : Reports from Munshiganj, Bagerhat, Jessore, Satkhira, Chittagong, Rajshahi, and Gaffargaon : Post election violence- main target Minority communities: wounded 371,  BNP workers created hell of panic at Mirpur.

05. 10. 01 Janakantha : 1. Total anarchism prevailing throughout the country in post election chaos; violence and atrocities prevailing; law & order broken down; government inactive, police and army silent spectators.

2. Four AL workers killed as BNP-Jamaat terrorists attacked. Attacks on residences of ex-minister Mr. Tofael  Ahmed and ex-MP Mr. Golondaz in Bhola followed by lootings.

3. Terrorism on Minorities in Satkhira let loose by Jamaat workers exceeded even repression of 1971

4. Repression on Minorities and leaders-workers of Awami League continuing unabated.

5. Minorities and supporters of Awami League are the victims of repression in Rajshahi.

• " Ittefaq : Hindu Image broken in villages of Khulna, makers assaulted

• " Janakantha : Assaults on minorities in Narayanganj, Barisal and Comilla: Abodes destroyed and lootings; many fleeing for fear of  life to safer places

• " Prathom Alo : Terrorist assaults on Awami Leaguers and Minorities in 20 districts: Nine killed

• " Sangbad : Election observation of BRATEE : Preliminary Report : Minority Voters threatened not to go polling centres for casting votes.

05. 10. 01 Sangbad : Assaults on Minorities on the increase in post election violence: 5 killed, hundreds injured

Many Hindus and AL workers fled away from villages of Bagerhat district to take shelter in safer place. Within two days 2 killed and 10 injured in the district.

1. Wide spread looting taking place in the minority inhabitant localities at Fatullah, Narayanganj. Miscreants made naked an old lady of 80 years, raped a significant number of girls and women.
2. At Natore and Nowgaon during last few days, 10 persons wounded and one killed
3. In Magura a group of terrorists abducted a schoolteacher from his home and left him on roadside after striking him on head with a hammer. People rescued him from roadside in a wounded condition and took to hospital.
4. Other localities: Wide spread incidences of repressions took place in Kustia, Chittagong, Sunamganj. In Chittagong more than 50 Hindu families were attacked and properties looted. One killed in each district of Kustia and Sunamganj. In other localities too incidence of repression took place including those areas of Narsingdi, Tangail, Barisal, Patuakhali, Mirzapur. One Dilip is running away for fear of life : his property forcibly occupied.

06. 10. 01 Janakantha : BNP style hell of frenzies befell on Minorities of Uzirpur. Heavy extortion demanded; Girls in panic.

07. 10. 01 Janakantha : Constituencies of Sayidee are perilous locality now, fire setting on houses of Minorities.

• " Prathom Alo : Continued assaults on AL workers and minorities in different places of the country.

• " Muktokantha : Minorities of villages of Bagerhat away from their abodes ? Victims of atrocious assaults : Took shelter at Chaterhat, Mangla.

08. 10. 01 Ittefaq : Post Election Narayanganj : AL supporters are main target- Assaults on houses, destruction, forcible occupation of shops and business centres; Many minorities are hiding.

• " Ajker Kagoj : Assaults on Minorities, looting, destruction continued unabated

• " Janakantha : Minorities of two Upazilas (sub-districts) in Barisal left their areas as a result of BNP led expedition of  purification; Temples destroyed, setting of fires on houses, lootings; Young girls stopped going schools and colleges.

08. 10. 01 Janakantha : Post election fanatic frenzies : Elderly Buddhist teacher became victim of extreme torture.

• " Janakantha : Awami League workers-supporters and Minorities held captives at the hands of BNP terrorists in Swarupkathi : Destruction of houses, lootings, extortion and repressions  continuing.

• " Janakantha : Barbaric assaults on Minorities in Dinajpur villages : Molestation of girls; many families left the country out of fear of life.

Daily Star :

• Attacks on Awami League supporters and Minorities continuing. Twelve workers of Awami League and Students League killed in post election violence.

• Workers of BNP led 4-party alliance continuing repressions on Minorities at different places of Gazipur district. Even freedom fighters not spared.

Janakantha :

1. Men and women belonging to Minority Community continuously taking shelter in Kotalipara. Untold stories of miseries and repressions being described before DC and SP.

2. Continued repressions on Awami Leaguers and Minorities condemned in Khulna and Bhairab;  Processions brought out, assemblies held.

3. BNP-Jamaat workers witch hunting those who voted for Boat- symbol; Over hundreds wounded, most belong to Minority community.

10. 10. 01 Ajker Kagoj : Date line Comilla: Minority families moving out from one place to another inside panic stricken localities.

• " Ajker Kagoj : Unabated torture-repression on Minorities continuing  throughout the country.

• " Prathom Alo : Minorities from many districts in the north left the country under unabated threats and assaults.

• " Prathom Alo : More than 50 families belonging to Minority Community at Galachipa held captives at the hands of the terrorists.

• " Jugantar : Situation of Gaurnadi and Agailjhara: Minorities being tortured even after casting their votes in favour of ear of corn (dhaner shis)

• " Ajker Kagoj : Chanpara is a panic stricken locality for Minorities : Young men are away from homes for fear of BNP terrorists; Girls threatened for being lifted.

• " Daily Star : Attacks on AL workers and Minorities in Magura : 45 injured.

• " Bangladesh Observer: European Commission appeals, "Take effective measures against Minority-repression?.

11. 10. 01 Janakantha : Fire of revenge- Minority villages in Bagerhat are burning.

• " Janakantha : Post election atrocities continuing in Naogaon: Women molested for casting votes in favour of boat-symbol, Deities destroyed.

• " Janakantha : Administration in total silence; if situation does not improve- it is apprehended many minority families would leave the country in silence.

• " Matribhumi : Minorities in Jhenaidaha are terrified

• " Matribhumi : Minorities of Kaliakair abandoned their homes and localities

• " Bhorer Kagoj: Minorities threatened to leave their abodes; Dacoity, lootings, raping continuing with equal speed throughout the country.

• " Ajker Kagoj: One killed at Mangla and Bagerhat because of BNP terrorists attacks on Minorities; Forcible occupation of shrimp culture centres and bus terminals.

• " Bangladesh Observer : Over 50,000 people of AL workers and Hindu families held captives at Keshabpur (Jessore).

• " Daily Star : Continued assaults on AL workers and members of Minority  communities (Pabna and Gopalganj)

• " Daily Star : Minorities from three Upazilas of Pabna are fleeing : Allegation of looting and persecution.

12. 10. 01 Janakantha : Awami league leaders-workers and members of minority families at Sarisabari are in panic : Many left villages

• " Sangbad : Repression on Minorities continuing.

• " Daily Star : Minorities were on the run as BNP miscreants attacked

13. 10. 01 Sangbad : 1. Minority Refugees taking shelter at Ramshil dare not return home in spite of assurances from DC and SP

2. Unabated assaults on AL workers and Minorities: two killed in Feni.

1. 19 Adibashis ordered to leave their homesteads, abducted AL minority worker killed in Rajshahi.

2. Police inactive and indifferent : Hindus and Muslims, both communities are victims of post election terrorism in Bhola district

3. Post election situation : Kaliakair is now a zone "killed by terrorism" : Looting and forcible occupations continuing with equal speed.

• " Daily Star : Hundreds of people belonging to minority community from Agailjara, Barisal fled away

15. 10. 01 Janakantha : Minorities of Agaijhara wants to return home

• " Janakantha : Persecution on Minorities at Narail, Kaliya, and Naragati continuing; Refugees taking shelter in Gopalganj not able to return home.

15. 10. 01 Janakantha : Severe assault on a Minority family ay Nagarkanda- it exceeds even that of 1971.

• " Janakantha : College going girl raped in presence of her mother at Bhanga

• " Janakantha : Not only the village Utkul, all villages in Bagerhat in effect besieged.

• " Janakantha : BNP cadres evicted 11 thousands men from their homes at Kaliganj ? Complained Municipality chairman.

• " Janakantha : "What justice I would demand ?" ? Shefali broken down in tears.

• " Sangbad : Assaults, lootings on Minorities continuing throughout:  Persecution on Minorities at Mirersarai continuing- Police taking no actions.

• " Prathom Alo : BNP terrorists let loose frenzies at Nazirpur : Minorities taking shelter in Barguna and Jessore towns.

• " Prathom Alo : Minority Repression: three women of a family lost their ijjat (honour).

• " Prathom Alo : Images of goddess destroyed at Matlab and Shahrasti.

16. 10. 01 Sangbad : Kamalarani gave vivid description of assault on her house in presence of interior minister.

• " Sangbad : Who would try these social criminals? Numerous faces of repression at Ramshil shelter centres.

• " Sangbad : At Gaurnadi, BNP cadres raped en masse wives of two brothers in front of them after tying them up.

• " Sangbad : Awami league leader abducted at Chatkhil : 9 Images (of god or goddess) destructed at Iswarganj

• " Sangbad : Atrocious persecution, looting, raping of girls etc.. on Minorities and AL workers continuing; Minorities threatened to leave the country.

• " Janakantha : Bajrukh para of Rajshahi, a panic-stricken Janapad (zone) :More than two hundred terrorists simultaneously attacked the locality followed by lootings etc...

• " Janakantha : The united terrorist group at Cox?s Bazar now casting its greedy eyes with the intention of grabbing landed properties of a Budhist temple; the monk assaulted and beaten.

• " Janakantha : Extorting money from the minority families after serving due notices to villages in Bagerhat.

• " Janakantha : Terrible picture of repression at Rajnagar for casting votes in favour of boat-symbol.

• " Janakantha : Persecution continuing on AL leaders-workers and Minorities in Sirajganj.

• " Bhorer Kagoj : Frenzied activities of masked young men: Hill girl raped at Bandarban; Repression on Bengali families too.

• " Ajker Kagoj : Assaults on minorities exceeded even dreadfulness of ?71

• " Muktokantha : Terror stricken locality Feni-1 Unimaginable frenzies befell on Hindu community.

16. 10. 01 Janakantha : Women are target even after voting was over

17. 10. 01 Muktokantha : Terror Stricken locality Feni-2 The terrorists come in groups, ask "Give money, drive out husbands and sons or we will shoot you."

" Sangbad : 1. Awami league leader at Bagerhat killed, In a post election violence at Fatullah an young man knifed on throat and hundreds injured.

2. Deities of goddess Durga destructed, temples assaulted in Jamalpur, Rangpur and Nator.

3. Evicted people from Gaurnadi and Agailjhara groaning with agony- "We have been living here for last five years under terrorist Hasnat, now living under terrorist Swapan ."

1. In village Kaliganj, two persons killed, three hundred wounded, and eleven thousand evicted.
2. Minorities of Purbo Phuluhar in Jhalakathi persecuted- terrorists exerting pressure on them to withdraw cases.
3. The girl assaulted and raped in post election violence brought to Dhaka. Legal aids planned.
4. No Durga Puja in Hindu temples in Lakshmipur Upazila
5. Minorities and tribal people still in terrible shock.
6. Terrorism continuing in north Tangail and Madhupur

    

" Daily Star : Workers of BNP and 4-party alliance are very active. Awami league workers being killed and Minorities persecuted, Awami League leaders complained to foreign diplomats.

• " Independent : Houses of Minority families ransacked and destroyed at Keshabpur (Jessore).

18. 10. 01 Daily Star : Minorities are in panic-stricken state because of repression-oppression committed by terrorists belonging to ruling party.

• " Bangladesh Observer : Reported Tragedy of Minority-events failed to soften the heart of Government.

19. 10. 01 Daily Star : Further pathetic tales of sorrows and miseries of Minorities.

20. 10. 01 Banglabazar Patrika : 1. Minorities are fleeing from their homes at Savar

2. A deep conspiracy set on to divide the country on communal line, says 11-party alliance.

21. 10. 01 Sangbad : 1. Purnima said, "No one must become victim of persecution as me in future."

2. VOTE submits its report after on-the-field survey : "We have not witnessed such terrible persecution since 1971"

3. Rapists trying to hush up three events of raping.

4. BNP workers attacked on different places of the country : Deities of god and goddesses being broken; alleged AL  supporters of college teachers barred to come to colleges.

5. Stories of wretched people taking refuge at Ramshil :Why didn't interior minister turn up? What is the inside story ?

6. Sonargaon, a terror-stricken zone (janapad): Tk 1200 fixed against each minority shop owner; victimized Jamila fled away.

7. Unabated repressions on AL leaders-workers, Adibashis and minorities in Rajshahi.

8. Repression on Awami league workers at Debidwar, Administration silent.

22. 10. 01 Daily Star :
1. Rapped victim's Mother demands "We want justice."

2. The Civil society appeals to all Political parties "Treat Repression on Minorities as national crisis."

" Janakantha :
 1. People of Kachua under threat of terrorism, Terrorists surpassed all repression-records.

2. At Jhinaidaha, attacks on five rice mills owned by minorities:  Rice from godowns looted.

3. Protest assembly of lawyers : Failure of the government to stop terrorism on minorities condemned--, interior minister asked to resign.

• " Sangbad : Fazle Hosen Badshah, Advisor, Adibashi Parisad expressed  concern over repression on Adibashis.

• " Prathom Alo : Assaults on minorities at Rauzan and Rangunia- many fled away.

23. 10. 01 Banglabazar Patrika : Deities of goddess Durga destroyed in Pabna; at least 12 deities destroyed at Chatmohar Upazila.

• " Sangbad : Agonising cries of repressed Bhola-minorities : "Please tell the Prime Minister, We didn't vote, nor shall we in future; we only  want to live here in peace, that?s all."

• " Janakantha : Kaliakuir a land of captives for voters of boat-symbol and Minorities.

• " Prathom Alo : It is a case of "Natural death" for Kshudhiram and in case of Priyabala it's a "sinful killing"

• " Ittefaq : Home of a minority family at Hijla completely annihilated : housewife molested.

24. 10. 01 Prathom Alo : A nightmare at Vendorbari : Only one rape-case filed with police

• " Sangbad : Allegations of repression on minorities at Kapasia.

26. 10. 01 Daily Star(Weakly Magazine) : A nice festival turned marred because of terrorism.

30. 10. 01 Daily Star : Stories of repression of Hindus fleeing to India

01. 11. 01 Sangbad : Place of occurrence- Mirsarai, Bauphal, Narayamganj, Kaliakair and Sonakhuli of Sayidpur- everywhere extreme repression on Awami leaguers and minorities continuing; "Fulfill demand of extortion or leave the country" ? directives to minorities.

" Daily Star : Activists of forbidden political organizations attacked Hindu fishermen.

03. 11. 01 Sangabad : The Puja performed "Not to gratify Mother Durga, but to appease BNP"

04. 11. 01 Sangabad : 1. Minorities panicked, Awami leaders-workers not able to return home.

2. At different places of the country, attacks on minorities and AL workers-supporters continuing unabated.

05. 11. 01 Janakantha : Persecution of Minorities at Narsinghdi.

06. 11. 01 Sangbad : Date line Domar, Nilfamari: Conspiracy to grab properties of worth millions of taka belonging to a Hindu widow.

" Janakantha : Paresh Haldar of Manikganj threatened: "Subscription Tk 20,000 or Head"

07. 11. 01 Janakantha : Haripada Shil of Galachipa after being robed of his dress forced to roam about openly in the local market at the directives of younger brother of an accused of Bangabandhu killing.

" Janakantha : Attack of BNP terrorists on Mirersarai-Daspara at midnight; Sevait (Priest) murdered

08. 11. 01 Jugantar : Minorities of Rajnagar, Narsinghdi, take shelter to safer places for fear of terrorists.

" Janakantha : Date line Haridebpur, Galachipa: Two Hindu families left the locality to save their dignity from the hands of Cadres of Mahiuddin.

" Sangbad : Sarkarpara, Raozan : Although terrorists burnt the residence of Ghoses, no one came to their rescue.

09. 11. 01 Prathom Alo : Post Election Bhola 1 : A frightful nightmare in a village Annada Prasad.

" Daily Star : Heart breaking story of deception 1: No measures yet taken against persecutors of Bhola violence.

10. 11. 01 Prathom Alo : Post Election Bhola 2 : Even land-labour Prankrishna would leave for India with his wife and daughter.

10. 11. 01 Daily Star : Heart breaking story of deception 2 : Stories of Shefali and Jayanti.

" Daily Star : Pathetic story of a lady UP member of Gopalganj.

11. 11. 01 Prathom Alo : Post Election Bhola 3 : Story of snatching away of nose-pin of disabled Shefali.

" Daily Star : Heart breaking story of deception 3 : Panic and fear of repression still driving them away.

17. 11. 01 Prathom Alo : Elderly college principal of Chittagong murdered : Two ministers faced humiliation.

" Prathom Alo : Terrorist-assaults on a Hindu minority family in Magura and on Loknath Asram (hermitage) in Comilla.

" Daily Star : Furious agitation in Chittagong at the killing of college principal: slogan against interior minister; directives to arrest the culprits within 7 days.

19. 11. 01 Sangbad : Minority repression : At Chougram in Nator, properties of worth 3 lakh take looted in the face of threatened raping of women.

20. 11. 01 Prathom Alo : In Barisal Christian localities, assaults on Christian minorities by BNP cadres followed by looting.

14. 12. 01 Prathom Alo : Terrorists raided minority-families at Savar : head of a family severely injured.

    " Banglabazar Patrika : 9 Minority families raided at Narsinghdi.

25. 12. 01 Prathom Alo : Minority repression : Place of occurrence : Bijoy Pasha village of Gopalganj:- 6 minority families including that of  Dr. Ashit Sarkar are now victims of extreme insecure situation

26. 12. 01 Daily Star : Hindus of Bangladesh "would not return home again.

27. 12. 01 Janakantha : After being failed to rape a Hindu widow, her breasts cut.

30. 12. 01 Jugantar : Clash over occupying properties of temple at Satkania : injured 5, arrested 4.

Different non-government social organizations visited different affected areas of the country where repression on ethnic and religious minorities took place. On the basis of their field survey reports were prepared. Representatives of those organizations presented their views and contentions before the Commission and handed over these reports to the Commission for use.

Report of PRIP TRUST (see Appendix 4, pages 59-64) shows that most affected areas of minority repression are the districts of Bhola, Barisal and Bagerhat. From the standpoint of looting and destruction of houses and business establishments most affected districts are Barisal and Chittagong. Regarding raping of women the most persecuted districts are Bhola, Barisal and Patuakhali. Other voluntary organizations also presented more or less similar picture of repression.

In order to get a real picture of the most affected district of Bhola the member-secretary of the Commission with others visited some spots such as village Annada Prasad and Fatemabad of Lord Hardinge Union under Lalmohan PS and village Charkumari adjacent to Bhola town under Sadar police station on second week of December, 2001. His experience of the visit was presented to the Commission in the form of a report. (see Appendix 4, page 56). The Report mentioned that common folks of village Annada Prasad and adjacent areas narrated to them in one voice stories how common minority voters were threatened before the general election for not attending polling booths, and stories of en masse persecution, wholesale looting and repeated gang raping to their womenfolk following the election on 1^st October, 2001.

The report of the member-secretary also narrated that every houses of Charkumari village were looted twice repeatedly on 2^nd October. The inmates of houses took shelter inside sheds of betel leaves, and saved their lives. When they returned, nothing found left- every thing were looted. For fear of persecution many women folks took shelter in a neighbouring Muslim family; but there also the persecutors did not spare them. When the landlord of the house tried to protect them from onslaught even he was beaten severely.(see Appendix 4, page 56)

Sanajit Sarkar and Sukumar Chandra Das, both victims of persecution of village Charkumari said in their testimonies before the Commission that just the day following general election two adjacent villages of theirs were looted wholesale. Mr. Timir Baran Chakraborty, another victim of village Ali Nagar under Charkumari union gave the same testimony in his witness before the Commission. According to him the terrorists on the day following general election set fire to his house and belongings as a result of which his house and goods were burnt to ashes that valued not less than 4-5 lakhs of taka. As a result of such torture his father Pankaj Chakraborty lost his mental stability. He had to be treated for one month in a mental clinic of Rashmohan Bhadra. Deities of their temple were destructed. He held responsible BNP terrorists for this kind of terrorism.

Another most affected zone is the district of Chittagong. Niranjan Majumdar, another victim of village Mithanala under PS Mirersarai of district of Chittagong gave testimony before the Commission of repression and looting that took place in his village on 5^th November, 2001. He himself was injured at the hands of the raiders. He disclosed names of those culprits. Messers Dr. Subal Chandra Das, shopkeeper Rakhal Chandra Das and Mihir Kanti Majumdar in their witnesses gave the picturesque narration of repression and lootings of adjacent houses including their own. Mihir Kanti gave a vivid picture how his old parents were severely beaten. The terrorists threatened them either to become Muslim or leave the country, Mr. Majumdar informed the Commission.

Three journalists (Liton Bashar of Bhola, Janakantha Correspondent, Sharifuddin Sabuj of Sangbad?s Narayanganj Reporter, and Muktadir Choudhury, Staff Reporter of Sangbad) gave witnesses before the Commission and narrated their personal experience. The Commission was informed of their collected information and published news. Another reporter, Mr. Mubaswer Ullah Coudhury, Sngbad?s Bhola correspondent, although could not present physically before the commission, gave a written statement of his experience of minority repression taking place in different localities in the district of Bhola.

The Commission interrogated some members of the survey teams of organizations, which prepared their reports on the basis of survey conducted by these members, who collected facts, data and information from the field-levels. Commission asked these members about their methodology used in information-collection procedure. To these queries, concerned witnesses answered satisfactorily. The Commission satisfied itself that methodology used is quite appropriate and reliable.

Mr. John Ashit Das, a field investigator of one such facts collecting organization, "Ain Salish Kendra" presented his experience of extensive visit and his eye-witness account of wretched conditions of repressed human beings at Ramshil, Gopalganj, and an eye-witness account of pitiable situations prevailing in Hindus and Christians inhabitant barren villages, under police stations Agailjhara and Gaurnadi in the district of Barisal. Mr. Shah Alam of the same organization narrated his experience of visits, from 25-28^th October, of Rishipara at Barai village in Nator district, Lalmohan police station in Bhola district. Mr. Tipu Sulatan, Cordinator and Mr. Nur Khan Liton, Director, of the same organization in their testimonies before the Commission narrated their experience based on extensive field studies, and methodology of information-collection technique conducted in many areas including Keshabpur and Manirampur of Jessore district, Rampal of Bagerhat district, Lalpur of Nator, and Mirersari of Chittagong district. They submitted their reports to the Commission.

In a similar way, the Commission recorded the context and statements of the field investigating persons from PRIP Trust, Nari Pragati Snagha, and Bangladesh Mahila Samiti. Among these organizations the PRIP Trust took also note of the news published in important national dailies in preparing their report. Reports of other organizations are based on their on field survey studies. Two reports prepared on their own by Civil Rights Committee were also submitted to the Commission.

After thorough study and review of above mentioned recorded witnesses of the repressed persons appearing before the commission, facts and information furnished by the journalists, witnesses of the representatives of social organizations and reports submitted by those organizations, reports of the Civil Committee (Committee for Preservation of Civil Rights and Prevention of Communalism) and report of the member-secretary of the commission, the Public Inquiry Commission came to the conclusion that reports regarding repression on Hindus and other religious communities published in national news papers have factual basis.

As a matter of fact during pre-election campaign, severe threats were given to minorities for not going to poling booths, and attempts were made to create such uncongenial atmosphere for the minority voters.

And in post election period, wide spread events and incidences relating to minority repression such as physical torture on minorities, destruction of their abodes, looting of their properties and wholesale gang raping did take place in wide areas of the country. Not only the members of the Hindu community, other religious minorities were not spared from the terrorists? hands. Members of Christian communities at Savar, and Chatmohar Upazila of Pabna district also became victims of communal repression. People known as Adibashi and other small ethnic clans were too tortured in different areas such as Gopalpur, Godagari and Durgapur of Greater Rajshahi, Nowgaon and Putiya Upazilas, some localities in Sirajganj and Dinajpur districts, Dhanabari-Madhupur areas of Tangail, hilly district of Bandarban.

[End of 2^nd Installment]