15 thousands minorities are rendered homeless in February 2002 alone:
131 cases of tortures and oppressions are reported

Translated from Ajkerkagoj dated March 25th, 2002

Kagoj Reporter: In one month (February, 2002), at least 131 incidents of racially motivated skirmishes (in which minority victims are brutally tormented and oppressed) against minorities are reported through out Bangladesh. HBCUC (Hindu, Buddha, Christian Unity Council) has reported that in February 2002 alone there are 131 cases of extortions and oppressions against minorities. The report was based on the collective reports of National newspapers.
According to the report at least 25 cases of gang rape of minority women were among the incidents. All the accused in the gang rapes are ruling party cadres. The report also asserted that at least 5 minority women committed suicide by either drinking of poison or by hanging them due to denial of justice by the government. Due the reported 131 incidents at least 15 thousands minorities from Sandip, Natore, Narshingdi and Mirsarai have become homeless due to continuous atrocities against them.
In another incident, at least five thousand minorities are held encircled at Maheskali, they are threatened to leave the country and are living in nightmare.
According to HBCUC, the atrocities against minorities are still continuing all over the country and government is yet to take any punitive action against the miscreants. There is no effort from the government to safeguard minorities in Bangladesh.
Uncounted minority women have become the victims of continuing gang rape and numerous temple/houses being forcefully confiscated by the ruling party cadres and Islamic Fundamentalists. Although there been equally greater number of atrocities against minorities occurring throughout Bangladesh, not all of them are reported in the newspapers.

Read the Bengali version of the original news below: