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11 of same family roasted alive in
Banshkhali
Bottom: Devastated Relatives are crying photo Daily Ajkerkagoj
Source: The Bangladesh Observer
Report from The Daily Star News.
CHITTAGONG, Nov 19: - Eleven
members of same family, roasted alive in a planned plot of arson by armbed
robbers at village Southern Shadhanpur under Banshkhali police station early
today.
It was the worst case of arson
in the known history in this part of the country. Approximately four square
kilometers minority-dominated village turned to a place of horror. Most of the
villagers have apparently lost voice even to comment on the tragic incident.
None could give dependable
information regarding possible reasons of the arson. However, it is believed
to have occurred as the sequel to old hostility.
A group of men in the guise of
bandits stormed the earthen two-storied dwelling of Tejendra Lal Shushil
shortly after zero hours on Wednesday. Although, the attackers posed like
bandits but they engaged their efforts to trap the house inmates for
materializing previously planned arson instead of looting valuables.
The armed attackers ransacked
the ground floor of the house and set it on fire when the house inmates went
upstairs for safety. They also fired several gunshots as the neighbors
attempted to rescue the trapped house inmates.
Bimol Shushil (38) a village
doctor and second son of Tejandra Lal Shushil was the only survivor of the
incident. He escaped fire by jumping outside the blazing house and went into
hiding inside a near by paddy field. He also suffered fractures in his hands
and legs.
Those trapped inside the
blazing house were identified as Tejendra Lal Shushil (70), her wife Bakul
Shil (60), his son Anil Kanti Shushil (42), wife of Onil, Sriti Rani Shil
(34). Three daughters of Anil were Rumi Shil (11), Sonia Shil (7), Kartika
Shil (4 days). Three daughters of Shachindra Shushil - Babuti Shil (25),
Prashadi Shil (17), Any Shil (15) and brother-in-law of Tejendra, Debendra
Shushil.
Shachindra Shushil who claimed
to have seen the whole tragedy almost undone said that the attackers earlier
attempted on the house twice but could not succeed. “The gunmen torched the
house after spraying something inflammable inside after disconnecting power
link,” he told The Bangladesh Observer.
None of the neighbors could
raise voice against the attackers as the gunmen fired several gunshots before
their escape from the scene. The villagers rushed to the house and began
spraying water inside it as soon as the gunners disappeared.
“Eleven of the house inmates
died when we went at their aid,” Shachindra Shushil narrated bursting into
tears. He also lost three of his daughters in the incident. Eleven skeletons
not bodies were taken out of the destroyed house in the morning. None could
identify the human remains in person.
Only body of Smriti Rani Shil
was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
Locals alleged that police did
not rush the spot even after repeated request from the villagers. The police
traced none of the gunners till the time of writing this report on Wednesday
night.
Home Minister Altaf Hossain
Chowdhury, State Minister for Forest and Environment Zafrul Islam Chowdhury,
Inspector General of Police Shahudul Haque, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong
Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abul Bashar and Superintendent
of Police in Chittagong Mahbubur Rahman visited spot.
Khaleda shocked
BSS adds: Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, now in Makkah on
Wednesday expressed shock at the loss of lives in a tragic incident at village
South Sadhanpur under Banshkhali upazila in Chittagong and directed the
authorities concerned to deal with culprits with an iron hand.
On receipt of the information about the incident on Wednesday
morning, Begum Zia directed Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, State
Minister for Environment and Forest Zafrul Islam Chowdhury and Inspector
General of Police (IGP) to go to the spot instantly and inquire about the
incident and bring the culprits to book.
She said the people responsible for the incident must be found
out immediately and handed over to the law.
The Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed
souls and conveyed sympathy to members of the bereaved family.
Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, State Minister for
Environment and Forest Zafrul Islam Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police
(IGP) rushed to the spot following the Prime Minister’s directive. They were
staying in Chittagong, according to the latest information received in Dhaka
tonight.