Yearly Report

Year 2000

You may click here to go appropriate section: Abduction, Murder, Rape and Religious Persecution

Abduction

( 1 )    Non-Muslim tribals were also not safe in Islamic Bangladesh. On Dec 4, '99 a group of fanatic armed Muslim youth abducted 4 tribals (Mongsha Marma, Angale Marna, Ushakhoi Marma and Mangla Marma) from Manika Chhri Ps. Lakhichhari, Dist : Khagrachhari in the CHT area. Despite report to the police, the tribals still remained untraced.

( 2 )    Earlier, on the evening of December 27, '99 a Hindu old man of 60 yrs' (Nibaran Chandra) of Vill : Rampur, P.O. Pabnapara, P.S. Bochaganj, Distt. Dinajpur (BD) was abdacted at gun-point by a fanalic Muslim gang while he was returning home from place of work. The miscreants thereafter applied strong-arm tactics on him to get a document signed assigning all his landed and other property to them. Nibaran resisted and refused to sign. After captivity, he could secure his release. Pressure on him, however, continued. Lastly, on the night of January 12, 2000, Nibaran was murdered by the said gang and his dead-body was thrown in a local pond. It was indeed an extreme case of brutality.

( 3 )    On January 17, 2000, one Samiran Chakma (47 years), a Buddhist social activist of vill : Betchhari, P.S. Baniarchar, Distt.: Rangenati (BD) was abduced by a fanatic armed Muslim gang from the house of Mahendra Karbari of adjoining vill : Rangipara. Earlier on January 9, 2000, one Sohel Chakma, a Buddist student was also abducted similarly. The Police were still to recover them when report last came in.

(4 )    The second incident revolved round Rajendra Prasad Roy, Proprietor, Suktara Jewellers at k. c. de Road, Sadar Chitagong (BD). On the night of January 19, 2000, as he was returning home, he was way laid by an armed Muslim fanatic gang and taken to an unknown place. The terrorists demanded a ransom of 1 kg gold and Taka Ten lakhs in cash. The local police arrested 2 Muslim suspects (Shati and Noor Mohd) but Roy was yet to be recovered.

( 5 )    A Rice-Merchant Monorangan Saha (62 yrs.) and his Assitant Nibash Das (42 yrs.) of Hut-Krishnapur, P.S. Sadarpur, Distt.: Farid pur (BD) were forcibly taken out from their business premises on February 11, 2000 in broad day light by a gang of fanatic Muslim and assaulted badly with rifle-butts. Nibash managed his escape, but Saha became unconscious. The miscreants looted cash of over Taka one lakh from Saha and made good their escape.

( 6 )    Detention of minorities without trial was also common in Bangladesh. On Nov 29, 1997 one Tapan Kumar Roy (35), S/O Tarani Kanto Roy of Vill: Kharialdanga, Pashim Debattarpara, P.S. Rajarhat, Distt.: Kurigram (BD) was picked up by the police just on suopicion and without any formal charge. It was now nearly 21/2 years that Tapan remained in police custody without any trial or framing of charge Tapan's father moved from pillar to post but to no avail.

( 7 )    The next incident revolved round a Christian Tribal named Gregory Nokrek of vill. Chaitalchhara Panpunji P.S. Kulaura, Distt.: Maulvi Bazar (BD). On Den 18, '99, an armed gang of 50/60 youth led by local UP Chairman organised a violent attack in the said tribal village and resorted to loot and arson. The miscreants also took away a few Christian tribal women/girls. At least 5 tribel homes were destroyed/gutted in this organised gory crime. Despite report to the Police, the tribal village did not get any compensation nor an action taken to arrest the culprits.

( 8 )    On April 30, 2000 one Imam of local Mosque/(Maulana Afzal Hussain) forcibly converted the young Hindu boy (Sujan S/o Nipen Das) of Vill : Haridevpur, PS Bera, Distt. Pabna. As the parents of the boy tried to recover him, the Maulana and his henchmen kept him captive at an unknown place. As the parents approached the Police and took to law, the boy was recovered after 13 days. Groups of Islamic Zealots in the village were making it a big issue and threaten the parents of the boy with dire consequences for having taken legal action and police help.

Murder

(1 )    On Dec 17, '99 5 armed Muslims called Manik Haoladar (30 yrs) from his residence at C+B Road, Islampara Ps_Dist: Barisal and stabbed him to death on roadside close to his house.

( 2 )    On the early morning of January 11, 2000, a Hindu bureaucrat (Nikunja Behari Nath, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Govt.) was stabbed to death near his govt. bunglow at Dhaka, reportedly by some armed criminals. The incident shook the minorities who felt that, if such a senior Govt. official could be so brutally done away with, where is the safeguard for their life and property. Though the police effected some arrests, it is yet to be seen if they can unearth the real motive of murder.

( 3 )    According to much belated report, one Swapan Saha (38 yrs.) S/O J. K. Saha of vill. Harinarayanpur, PS + Distt. Kushtia (BD) was abducted on June 18, '98. The fanatic Muslim miscreants demanded a ransom of Taka 10 lakhs. As Saha's father expressed inability, Saha was killed and his dead body thrown on road-side. Due to shock, his father also expired soon after. Swapan's widow and 2 children were forced to quit Homeland. Presently, they are staying at Patikabari, Nadia Distt. (W. Bengal) in a destitute condition.

( 4 )    On the night of February 18, 2000, one Babul Sutradhar (28 yrs.) S/O Hemanta Sutradhar of Vill: Kalidaha, PS + Distt. Feni (BD) was shot dead by a gang of armed fanatic Muslims when Babul's mother and brother tried to intervene they were also badly assaulted.

( 5 )    On March 17, 2000, a 24 hour non-stop 'Naam-Yagna' commenced in the house of Subhash & Jogesh Roy at Vill. Bardail, PS Dhamrai, Distt. Dhaka. Two Muslim youth came at the venue and passed indecent remarks. One Hindu participant named Dilip Sarkar protested. After 2 hrs., a 200-strong Muslim mob thronged the venue, beat up devotees and caused other acts of sacrilege. The entire village community, including some liberal Muslims chased away the miscreants. The disturbed 'Naam-Yagna' could start again under Police protection.

( 6 )    The once flourishing Durga Mandirs of Barisal and Alekanda, Kali Temple of Bat-tala, Sitala-Kali Mandir adjoining Kaunia Club, Dol Mandir of Sadar Road, Jagannath Mandir Akhra, Madan Mohan Akhara of Chakbazar were non-existent today following sustained assaults on these vesliges of Hindu symbols. 

( 7 )    A 23 year old student Pulak Biswas of mes College, Chittagong (BD) was shot dead by Jamaat militants while he was asleep in his home on the night of Feb 14, 2000. 

(8 )    A Hindu businessman Jagannath Debnath of Naniarchar Bazar, PS Nanichar, Distt. Rangamati (BD) was shot dead on Feb 6, 2000 by Muslim fanatics.

( 9 )    On the night of Dec 15, '99 a gang of Muslim terrorists killed Hindu constable Sudhir Mohan Roy (50 yrs.) in Distt. Habigang (BD). It was a joint operation of some local al/bnp/jei youth. The corpse of Roy was found from Subidpur area. This news was given to BSS by the distt. Superintendent of Police,  Habigang.

( 10 )    There was a major event on the midnight of April 10, 2000 involving a Hindu Kali Prasanna Dey of Vill. Salipara, PS Banskhalai, Chittagong. That fateful night, 25-strong fanatic Muslim gang raided his house shouting slogans 'Hindus : Quit Bangladesh or face Death'. Kali Prasanna and other inmates of the house challenged the attackers and in the brawl one of the miscreants was killed. Kali Prasanna was also shot dead. The raiders beat up every member of the house and decamped with Taka 50,000 in cash and lot of gold jewellery.

( 11 )    On March 24, 2000, a gang of armed Islamic Zealots shot dead two Buddhist Chakmas (Hriday Chakma and Nayan Chakma) at Hemanta Karkaripara, PS Mehalchhari, Distt. Rangamati. These Chakmas were local Upd workers.

( 12 )    One Ajoy Pramanikik s/o Lalit Pramanik was working as a contractor at Village Damkadia, PS Pangsha, Distt. Rajbari. On March 21, 2000, a gang of Muslim youth demanded donation of Taka 5000 from Ajoy. As Ajoy refused, the gang returned at night and killed him by using a rope around his neck. Police recovered the body after 3 days.

13 )    On Feb 24, 2000, an armed gang of Islamic youth raided a business house named ''Padma Oil Co.'' at Katiradi, Distt. Kishoreganj and brutally killed 4 Hindu employees while they were fast asleep. They also took away cash of over Taka 75,000.

( 14 )    On Feb 17, 2000, during the course of country-wide 'Hartal', a Hindu (Naresh Lal De of Rupehand Lane, Dhaka Sadar) lost his life in a bomb attack by Jamaeat cadres.

( 15 )    In early January this year a group of armed Muslims tried to assassinate 3 leaders of the Marma tribal community at Khagrachhari in the Chittagang Hill Tracts. This infuriated the local Marmas who organised protest marches on Jan 19, thereafter demand action against the culprits.

(16 )    One Bimal Rishi (35 yrs.) was way-laid by a group of armed Muslims on Feb 13, 2000 when he was passing through vill: Rounagram, P.S. Gafargaon, Distt. Mymensing (BD) Rishi was so badly beaten up that he succumbed to the injuries.

Rape

( 1 )    The next incident revolved round Miss Mala Mondol (18 yrs.) d/o Amulya Mondol of Vill : Sinkhali, P.S. Nazirpur, Distt. Pirozpur (BD). In August '99 this teenage Hindu girl was abducted by a Muslim gang. However, the local police could confront the gang and recover the girl. As Amulya Mondol pursued the case with Police/Court, he was reduced to penury and even subjected to mental torture. The situation got so bad that Amulya finally committed suicide on Dec. 30, '99.

(2 )    In yet another parallel incident, Miss Latika Rani Mistri (20 yrs.) d/o Niranjan Mistri Vill.: Kumkhali, P.S. : Koira, Distt. : Satkhira (BD) was abducted at gun-point by Asadul Hague (25), a Muslim fanatic youth of the same village on Oct 25, '99. Through her father filed fir with the police, Latika was yet to be recovered.

( 3 )    On March 24, 2000, an armed Muslim fanatic group raided a tribal village called Mogpara, PS Fatickchhari, Chittagong and abducted a tribal woman and tried to gang-rape her. The united tribal Mog youh chased the miscreants and recovered the lady.

( 4 )    On March 29, 2000, a Hindu girl named Miss Malarani Roy d/o of Khagen Roy of Karagola-hut, PS Syedpur, Distt. Nilphamari was abducted by a fanatic Muslim youth group from her residence. She was brutally beaten up and gang-raped. The local police recovered her and put her in a Hospital but refused to register a case. The incident shook the conscience of local progressive Muslims, who even criticised the negative police role in this case.

( 5 )    On March 4, 2000, a Hindu boy called Pintoo Mallick took his younger sister to Shiv Chaturdashi Mela a-t Chandranath-Pahar, PS Sitakundu, Distt. Chitta-gong. A group of fanatic local Muslim youth molested his sister and tried to kidnap her. As Pintoo resisted, he was stabbed but the miscreants fled. The volunteers of the Mela Committee captured one of the miscreants (Saiful Mian-20 yrs.) and handed him ove-r to the Police. The incident created a scare among the miniscule Hindu minority in the area.

Religious Persecution

( 1 )    A Hindu leader  Mr. Rana Shyam of vill : Kargram, P.S. Bianibazar, Distt. Sylhet (BD) and a number of other Hindus of the locality were facing harassment and humiliation at the hand of local Muslim fanatics for quite sometime. On the dead of night of January 14, 2000, a big fanatic Muslim armed gang, moving in a van, raided most of the Hindu houses and decamped with huge looted property. Before leaving, the miscreants threatened more such attacks if they did not quit Bangladesh soon.

(2 )    On the late night of Feb 2, 2000, a group of armed Muslim fanatics tresspassed into the house of Madhav Karmakar at Shariatpur Town, Distt. Shariatpur (BD) and started indiscriminately beating up all the inmates, including women and children. Later, the inmates were forcibly put in a pick up van and dropped long distance away. The miscreants occupied the house and did not allow Karmakar family to re-enter the premises. The incident generated strong resentment among local Hindus who held protest procession and meeting. Karmakar was yet to get back his property. An incident showing 'Jungle-Raj' in Bangladesh.

( 3 )    On Dec 13, '99 a group of fanatic Muslims attacked Kishore Kumar Roy while he was doing his duty as Station Master (Railways) in Kumira RS, Ps. Sitakund, Dist: Chittagang, Rifle-butt was used to beat him up. Just another incident to terrorize Hindus.

( 4 )    On the night of July 25, '99, an armed gang of Islamic goons raided the house of Ram Krishna Acharya (Hindu) at vill. Durgapur, PO & PS Mirsarai, Dist. Chittagong and took away over 80-year old and still venerated 6 costly idols and other 'puja' items by use of force. The gang had earlier broken open the 'puja' room to commit this sacrilege.

( 5 )    On the very late night of January 14, 2000, an armed gang of Islamic fanatics set on fire a minority market at Kachlong Bazar P.S. Baghaichhari, Distt. Rangamati (BD). Eleveu shops owned by minorities were completely gutted. Sunil Talukdar a shop keeper lost his life while about 20 others sustained injuries. The loss was estimated at over Taka 2 crores. The incident was caused to create panic and terror among Hindu businessman of the area.

( 6 )    On March 27, 2000, Ms. Popyrani Das (23 yrs.), an employee of Tajpur Smriti Medical Clinic in Sylhet town was attacked by a Muslim youth following an altercation. Dangerous acid was also thrown at the Hindu lady who suffered severe burns. She was taken to the nearby Osmania Medical College Hospital where her condition was declared to be serious.

( 7 )    On April 8, 2000, a tea-shop owned by one Hindu named Badal Datta at Bhatpara Mohalla, PS Savar, Dhaka was set on fire at night by a Muslim fanatic gang. The shop was completely gutted.

(8 )    On April 9, 2000, a Hindu youth named Surajit Ghosh, a second year student of Ormani Medical College, Dhaka was stabbed at night while he was returning home on foot from College. He was admitted in the said Hospital. This was the second attack on him. His fault was he was supporting the Opposition campaign to oust the present BD Govt.

( 9 )    On March 19, 2000, a number of Hindu houses belonging to Anil Mahajan, Debasish, Raju, Dayal Hari and Binode Choudhuri at Village Jaishthapur, PS Boalkhali, C-hittagong were attacked by Muslim fanatics in the very presence of local police. 15 Hindus of the village sustained injuries while trying to resist. Local Hindus (150) put up a memorandum to the local Suptd. of Police demanding action against the miscreants.

( 10 )    In a similar incident, an armed Muslim gang raided a number of Hindu houses of village Nalamara, PS Abhaynagar, Distt. Jessore on the night of March 30, 2000 and decamped with valuables worth over Taka 5 lakhs. The families of Bhim Sen, Utpal, Kartick Das, Nripen & Sirish Datta suffered total loss.

( 11 )    On March 29, 2000 night, in yet similar incident, a number of Hindu houses were simultaneously raided at villages Kalananda and Telkupi, PS Gurudaspur, Distt. Natore and valuables worth over Taka 3 lakhs looted. The most affected familes were that of Jogen Pramanick, Master Radhikanath, Master Santosh and Palash Byapari. These heinous acts were being committed in a regular fashion to force the Hindu minority in Bangladesh to quit their Motherland.

( 12 )    Bhawal Sannyasi was popular as a Historic figure among Hindus in Bangladesh. His 'Rajbari' was located at Joydevpur. In 1970, PS Joydevpur was up-graded as a Sub-Division but given the Islamic nomenclature of Ghazipur. The 'Rajbari' was converted into an Administrative office. A single storey building adjoining 'Rajbari' was turned int a 'Mosque'. Since then, the local Administration gradually usurped other landed property in connivance with Islamic fanatic groups destroying the last vestiges of a Hindu symbol in Bangladesh.

( 13 )    Recently some landed property owned by Swapan Sarkar s/o late Upen Sarkar at Gosaidanga, Village, PS Ulipur, Distt. Kurigram was usurped through fake documents by local Muslims, viz Fazaluddin, Abu Taher, Mominul Hague etc.

( 14 )    The ancestral home of Charan Kabi Mukunda Das/Jaggeshwar Das was located at Alekande in Barisal Town. A part of this historic property has been usurped wrongfully by Islamic fundamentalists. In a similar manner, the Islamic zealots occupied the property of Mahatma Ashwini Kumar at Batazore.

( 15 )    On April 6, 2000, an armed fanatic Islamic gang stormed into a Buddhist Vihara at Vill. Pakpara, PS Naikhangchhari, Distt. Bandarban and decamped with the Idol costing over Taka 50 lakhs. The Caretaker was badly beaten up.

( 16 )    Recently, the Hindu devotees of Shri Shri Thakur Anukul Chandra celebrated the birth anniversary of the religious divine at different centres in Bangladesh. At a number of these gatherings, gangs of Islamic fanatics created lot of nuisance and man-handled the devotees. Women and children were also not spared.

(17 )    In another similar case, a fanatic Muslim armed gang raided the 400 year old village Shiva Temple at Gurabhui, PS. Kulaura, Dist. Maulvi Bazar on the night of July 19 '99. The miscreants caused major damage to the costly idol and the loss was estimated at Taka 50,000/-.

( 18 )    On May 16, 2000, a 'Kirtan' recital was going on as part of 'Bhog' ceremony at Mahaprabhu Temple in Gopalpur-Rishipara, PS Belkuchi, Distt. Sirajganj. A fanatic gang of Muslims led by Mohd Nurul Nabi and Mohd Masood threw torn pages of Holy Quran at the venue of 'Kirtan' and raised a hue and cry over desecration of the Holy book by the Hindus. Some agitated local Muslims also gathered and broke down the 'Kirtan Mancha', caused severe damage to 6 Hindu houses and looted property valued over Taka 4 lakhs. The Police took into custody Masood and Nabi.

( 19 )    Recently, the house property of 'Shohid' and 'Mukti-Joddha' Jyotirmoy Guha Thakurata was partly usurped by two local Muslim goons (Md. Tofazzal Hossain and Zakir Hossain). The present BD Govt. was taking no note of this unfortunate development as it involved a Hindu 'Matyr'.

( 20 )    On the night of Sept 24, '99, a gang of fundamentalist armed Muslims trespassed into the premises of "Gobinda Jiu Akhara' at Nabiganj.Dist. Habiganj, broke open the Temple lock and took away a number of small but costly idols and many other invaluable ''Puja Samagri" costing several lakhs of Takas.

( 21 )    On Sept 2, '99, an orthodox Muslim armed gang made forced entry under darkness of the night at the residence of Sarat Choudhuri in vill: Begumpur, PS Balaganj, Dist. Sylhet. The gang took away a white marble idol of Lord Mahadeva, one 'Shiva Linga' made of 'Kashti Pathar' and a number of other venerated puja items. Earlier, in 1992 a costly idol was stolen from the same premises which cost Taka one crore.

(22 )    On Sept 5, '99, a group of fundamentalist Muslims carrying arms, trespassed into 'venerated place of "Mahaprabhu Akhara" at vill: Bhagdahar, Ps Baralekha, Dist: Maulvi Bazar. 'They broke the main deity idol and fled away.

( 23 )    For sometime, local fanatic Muslims were threatening the authorities of 'Potajia Rishipara Kali Temple," Ps: + Dist: Shahjadpur of usurping the entire Temple property through fake documents. However, following these threats a gang of fanatic muslim armed gang with lethal weapons entered the said place of worship and demolished the Kali idol completely.

( 24 )    On the night of Dec 6, '99 a fundamentalist Islamic gang intruded into the house of Late Adithi Nandan Chakraborty at vill : Nurpur-Brahmanpur Ps. Fenchuganj, Dist. Sylhet and took away one 80 Kg 'Koshiti-Pathar' idol worth over Taka one crore.

( 25 )    On November 11, '99 a group of armed fanatic Muslims forcibly intruded into the house of Sudhir Ranjan Roy of vill: Khalagaon, Ps. Ranjagar, Dist : Maulvi Bazar and took away 200-300 year old idol made of 'Kashti Pathar' and other items. Roy happened to be the chairman of "BD Deboltar" Properity Sangrakshan Samity".

( 26 )    On Dec 9, '99 a group of 10/12 armed fanatic muslim youth, under darkness of night intruded into the house of Nipen Sen at vill: Maach-Boal, Ps Birganj, Dist :Dinajpur and looted valuables worth lakh of Takas on the point or guns. However on raising of an alarm, local Hindus caught hold of 3 miscreants (Zahir, Shalimdul and Rajiv) who were later made over to local police.

( 27 )    On Dec 18, '99 at armed 1100 hours an armed muslim fanatic gang way-laid Sujol Pal of Jagannath Beri Road, Ps. and Dist: Feni as he was returning after offering 'Puja' in the local 'Jagannath Mandir.' They physically assaulted Sujol, made hi unconscious and decamped with Taka 74,000 and other valuables (wristwatch gold chain etc) which Sajol was carrying.

( 28 )    A cluster of villages on Dist: Narail like Bhadrabila, Bansgren, Bhabanipur, Raikhali, Chanditala, Pachuria, Poloidanga, Athghoria, Banagram, Araji-Kalimari and Molladanga have still good spread of Hindu population. In the last one year, there was not a single Hindu house in this cluster which was free from theft, docoity and other forms of targated attacks. Even standing crops owned by Hindus were harvested forcibly and taken away. On Dec 9, '99 a fanatic Islamic gang armed with weapons moved in a Van at night attacking Hindus and threatened further sustained attacks till they quit the country. It was learnt that a new Islamic militant body styled 'Jahadi Islam Force was organizing these attacks to terrorise the minorities and force them to quit their home-land.Arms, hand-mike found 18 members of Islamic group held in Jhalakatijhalakati, Dec 23:-Police in a drive at Bermahal in Sadar thana today arrested 18 members of an Islamic group, including its chief: along with arms, reports UNB.A hand-mike, huge leaflets, three rubber stamps, a diary and special dress sketched with word ''jihadi'' were seized from the group, police said. The extremist hordes were allegedly carrying out terrorism in the area under the banner of Bangladesh Santras Nirmul Committee. Police said earlier on last Saturday night, they brandished arms at Guhadeb Bazar in Gava-Ram-chandrapur area, stormed into a rice mill and looted cash injuring one Kabir by bullet. Kabir is now undergoing treatment at Barisal Hospital. The suspects were identified as Abdus Sattar, leader, Al Amin, Khalil, MizanurRahman, Farhad, Hanif, Somed Ali, Zalil, Jahangir, Rafiqul Islam, Forka, Idris, Ferdous, Noore Alam, Shahjahan, Azhar, Bazlur Rahman and Tofael. Five of the arrested hailed from Jhalakati while four from Patuakhali, three from Barguna and six from Barisal. In the leaflets, the head office of the group was mentioned Jihadi Group-1, in front of seven storied Jamia Mosque, Mahakhali, Dhaka. Police said on Wednesday night the Jihadi members went to Dafadar (village police) Nurul Islam's residence in gava area, called him out by hand-mike and forced him to keep a pipegun, sharp knife and torch light, Police were interrogating the Jihadi members for further information. (Bangladesh observer, Dhaka, 24th Dec. 1999.)

( 29 )    On Dec 10, '99, a 25 member armed gang belonging to the said "Jehadi Islam Bahini almost simultaneously raided several Hindu houses (Dr. Nripen Das, Sontosh Das, Makhan lal Das etc) under Ps Kalia. Dist: Narail and took away valuables worth more than Taka one lakh. Next day the local police arrested Jalal Sheikh and Isrul Sheikh for their involvement in the crime.

( 30 )    Recently, a group of Islamic bigots conspired and managed to usurp much of the property of the historic Bhagabati Temple at Munshiganj by production of take legal documents. It was learat that Priyabrata Brahmachari, Convenor of Bangladesh Sant Mahamandal submitted a memoranmum to Sheikh Hasina, BD Prime Minister registering protest and requesting for investigation.

( 31 )    Lately, the Islamic fanatic groups became active in organizing targeted attacks on Hindus and their property living in village Bhoroakhali, Ps+Dist. Cox Bazar Sadar designed at forcing them to quit Bangladesh. In a specific case, an armed Islamic group launched on attack on the house of Khokan Sharma of the village, and took away valuables worth lakh of Tkas. They also assaulted 7/8 Hindus, who tried to offer resistance. As a result of such attacks, good number of Hindu families of the village were now spending days on road side footpaths.

( 32 )    On Dec, 9 '99 a big gang (50) or armed fanatic Muslims suddenly launched simultaneous attacks on a least 9 Hindu houses at Nannar Dighi Purbapar, Cumilla Town, Dist:Comilla destroying fixtures and furniture, looting valuables and forcing inmates to vacate their ancestral premises. It was reported that the gang included not only some BNP cadres but also Al cadres. The sordid reality in Bangladesh today was that in the matter of repression of Hundus, all parties in BD were united.

( 33 )    On the mid-night of Dec 14, '99 fanatic Muslims set on fire the business premises of Sushanta Kundu at Baliakandi Bazar, Ps and Dist: Rajbari. In this act of arson, a total of 17 shops were gutted Kundu was a famous businessman in the area and now thinking of closing down his business in Bangladesh.

( 34 )    In yet another bizarre attack, a gang of armed Islamic goons raided on January 3, 2000 the Jewellery shop of Netai Banik (a Hindu) at Phoolgazi Bazar, PS. Phoolgezi, Distt. Feni (BD) and forcibly took away at gun-point cash and jewellery worth over Taka one lakh.

( 35 )    According to belated information, one 150 year old venerated Hindu Idol and many Puja items valued over lakh of Takas were stolen on July 23, '99 from Haripur Zamindar Bari Temple in Nasirnagar Distt. Brahmanbaria (BD). Despite lodging of complaint with the police, the Idol and other items were yet to be traced.

( 36 )    On the night of Sept. 17, '99 a number of idols were stolen from ''Bari Sebashram Temple'', vill : Pirpur, P.S. Chhatak, Distt. : Sunamgang (BD) The Idols were worth lakhs of Takas. As usual complaint was lodged wilh the police. No result.

( 37 )    In a recent incident, some fanatic local Muslims raided the house of Digambar Datta (60 yrs.) of Vill : Shahbazpur, Union Shyamgram P.S. Nabinagar, Distt. Brchmarbere (BD) and demanded from Datta an amount of Taka 50,000 as 'Rizia Kar'. As Dutta politely regretted inability, he and his family members were badly assautted and furniture of his house smashed.

(38 )    On the evening of January 22, 2000, an armed gang of fanatic Muslims swooped on Nityananda Mohanta in a Dhaka road as the latter was returning home. Nityananda was an employee of Finance Department, bd Govt. The miscreants dispossessed hin of cash worth Taka 1000, a gold ring, a gold chain and a wrist watch and fled.

( 39 )    On January 12, 2000, one Swapan Kumar Pal, Thana Nirbahi Karmakarta (TNO), Nagarkanda, Distt. : Faridpur (bd) was involved in an argument over some official matter with local Municipal Commissioner Obaidur Rahman. Obaidur got agitated and severely assaulted Swapan, a defeceless Hindu personnel had to digest the insult quietly.

( 40 )    On April 6, 2000 an Islamic fanatic group raided a Radha-Krishna Temple at Utter Badhaghat, PSGahirpur, Distt. Sunamganj and smashed all Idols and temple property before throwing the same into the streets.

( 41 )    In a similar case, Islamic fanatics stormed into a Kali Temple at Khagra-Rajpara, PS Purbadhala on March 22 and desecrated the Kali idol and other venerated temple property.

( 42 )    On May 3, 2000, the Special Branch Police at Dhaka conducted a special operation in Pallavi area of the metropolis and recovered a stolen Idol of a Hindu God made of 'Kashtipathar' and weighing nearly 40 kg. The Police also arrested a Muslim suspect and taken up investigations.

(43 )    The venerated Swami Bagh Ashram in Dhaka city is spread over a big 4 Bigha plot of land. It was set up over a century back by late Sadhak Sri Rudra Tridandi Tripur Lingaswamy for holding Hindu festivities and religious discussions. Recently, a gang of Islamic Zealots have been making sustained efforts to usurp this property through take legal documents. A Hindu religious body ''Bangladesh Krishna Sena'' has submitted a memorandum to the BD Prime Minister to stop this religious aggression.

Year 1999

You may click here to go appropriate section:
Abduction, Murder, Rape and Religious Persecution

Abduction

( 1 )    On July 10, '99 a gang of Muslim miscreants led by local thugs (Mohd: Litan and Mohd: Shahrum) intruded into the house of Ramesh Sadhak at vill: Chechri PS Kanthaliya Dist: Jhalkathu and tried to abduct his teenaged daughter Bithika. As Bithika's Mother resisted, the intruders beat her up leaving her half-dead. She was in hospital for 2 months. A case was filed in the local thana but with no result. 

Murder

( 1 )    A dastarolly act was witnessed on July 26, '99 at Dattabari, PS + Dist: Bogura (Sadar). The dead body, wrapped in a jute bag, of a Hindu Marwari businessman Om Prakash Poddar (Dinubabu) was recovered by local police from a pond in a highly decomposed state. He was earlier kidnapped nearly 3 months back. There were strong local suspicion that BD Jatiya Party Presidium member (ABM Shajahan), Bogura S.P. Lutfer Ralimor and o/c Rahaman Mian of PS Bogura (Sadar) were involved in this crime. The incident created a scare among the minorities in the area. 

( 2 )    Pawan Surekar was the proprieter of a Jute firm called M/S Glory Enterprise at Narayanganj Town, Dist: Narayanganj. He was doing flourishing business. On Sept 24, '99, he went to the local Agrani Bank and withdrew a heavy sum of money. As he was returning from the Bank, a gang of Islamic militants shot him at point blank range on road side and decamped ith the money. Pawan later died in Hospital.  

Rape

( 1 ) On July 23, '99, a gang of Muslim fanatics raided the house of Shri Ranjit Das(Hindu) at vill: Bargatta PS Zakigang, Dist: Sylhet. The gang not only looted valuables but also beaten up severely all the members of the family. The daughter-in-law and teenage daughter of Shi Das were also gang raped by the gang members before escaping.
(b) On July 12, '99, an armed gang of Islamic militants abducted 2 teenege Hindu girls (Seema Rani Deb and Shilpi Rani Das) of vill: Rajpar, PS: Srimongal, Dist: Maulvi Bazar. Later, the militants forced the girls to convert to Islam and later gave them in marriage forcibly to two Muslim youths. The parents of the girls filed a complaint with the police, with hardly any result. Sixty families of the said village were terror-stricken and thinking of quitting their home-land. 

 ( 2 )    On the mid-night of July 21, '99, an armed Muslim gang launched a severe attack on the house of Shri Nikhil Bosu at vill Sarabari under Dumuria Union Parished, PS Tungipara Dist: Gopalganj. The intruders beat up all the inmates of the house, gang-raped the daughter of Basu and made good their escape with golden jewellery and utensils. The daughter had to be hospitalised. These Islamic goons were trying for sometime to usurp the agricultural land owned by Basu in the village through fake legal documents. As they failed in this attempt due to resistance put up by Basu, the miscreants thought upon this action to force them to quit their home-land. 

Religious Persecution

( 1 )  On July 29, '99, one armed gang of Muslim bigots led by one Hafizur Rehman launched an unprovoked and sudden attack on the houses and shops owned by Hindus at Hutkrishnapur Bazar, PS Sadarpur, Distt. Faridpur (BD). Valuables worth over Taka 3 lakhs were looted from the shop of the Sukumar Das. Costly items were also looted from houses of Hindus and on offering of resistance they were physically assaulted. The women-folk were also not spared.

(2) Two Hindu local businessmen named Shankar and Haripada of vill: Kalapahar, PS Mahalchiari, Dist:Khagrachnari in the Chittagong Hill Tracts were kidnapped by armed Muslim fanatics on July 28, '99 for ransom money. While Shankar was released after some days, the whereabouts of Haripada were yet to be known.

( 3)    On July 2, '99, a group of armed Muslim miscreants launched a ferocious attack on at least 20 Hindu houses at vill: Kanikara, PS Nabinagar, Dist: Brahmanbaria and resorted to indiscriminate looting and arson. The attack was the sequel of reconversion of local neo-Muslim (Sontosh Das) to Hinduism on July 3, '99. The entire Hindu community in the area was in a state of shock and expecting more serious assaults in the near future.

 ( 3 )    On March 16, '99, a 130 year old business establishment owned by Ramdhan Pashan at vill: Kalir Bazar, PS. and Dist: Narayanganj was demolished by a group of Islamic militants after looting all costly items worth lakhs of Takas. Three days earlier, a ware-house of Pashari was also similarly looted. Pasheri was severely assaulted. Police yet to take any action.

( 4 )    About 300 Hindu families of 12 villages adjoining Chandpur under PS Mehesh pur-Daganlhuiyan, Dist: Feni were under constant threat and intimidation from Islamic armed goondas with no option left they were now planning to quit their home land to settle in safer India.

( 5 )    On August 17, '99 a 17 member gang of Islamic militants armed with iron-rods, hockey-sticks and knives attacked the business establishment of Shri Rabindra Saha and looted overTaka 3 lakhs in cash and kind. Police took cognizance of the case but there was hardly any proper action in nabbing the culprits.

( 6 )    On the night of Oct 15, '99, an armed Islamic group raided the house of Shibendra Nath at vill : Maheshpur, PS. Pansha, Dist: Rajbar and took away valuables worth over Taka one lakh. Shibendra was also assaulted.

( 7 )    On the night of June 9, '99, a group of local Muslim fanatics trespassed into the house of Shri Dhirendra Sarkar at vill Bera-yaarpur UP area- PS Savar, Dhaka. the gang took away Dhriendra and his son Satyaranjan outside and wanted them under duress, to sign some judicial papers to grab property. Other members of the group looted valuables worth Taka 50,000. When the victim family approached the police, the miscreants forcibly occupied agricultural land owned by the Hindu family. Police took no heed of the matter.

( 9 )    In another macabre incident, a Tribal boy named Shilmi Sangma (15 yrs) son of Heron Sangma of vill: Deflai, PS Jhinaigat Dist: Sherpur was severely beaten up on Sept 17, '99 by Md Haider Ahmed and his other Muslim goondas when Shilpi objected trespassing by then into his house. Shilmi succumbed to his injuries. A criminal case was lodged in the local thana but no progress. 

( 10 )    On the night of April 7, '99, a gang of Muslim fanatics raided the 'Shiva Temple' at Shibpur Union, PS Nabinagar, Dist: Brahmanbaria and decamped with the 'Shiva-Linga' and some other deities costing over Taka Six lakhs. Although a complaint was lodged with the local thana, the recovery of the deities were yet to be made. The miscreants also remained at large.

( 11 )    On May 30, '99 a group of fanatic Muslims tresspassed into the 'Radha Binode Temple' and took away idols and other valuables costing over Taka one lakh. Neither the miscreants were nabbed not the stolen voluables recovered so far by the police.

( 12 )    On the night of June 28, '99, some fanatic Muslim miscreants intruded into the 'Deb Mandir' of the house of Dr. Bibhakar Deshmukh, Vill: Amalseed, PS Zakigang, Dist: Sylhet and took away costly idols made of rare stone.

( 13 )    On June 27, '99, in similer attacks, two invaluable items from two Hindu temples at vill Chhoilane, PS Zakigang Dist: Sylhet were taken away by a Muslim fanatic gang.

( 14 )    Earlier, or June 25, '99, two temple tops made of costly meterial were stolen from vill: Rahimkharchak, PS Zakigang, Dist: Sylhet.

( 15 )    A few months back, a gang of Muslim miscreants stole a 240 kg Lord Krishna idol from 'Basudeb Temple' at Jagnnathpur, Dist: Sunamgang. It was made of rare stone and its estimated cost was over Taka 20 crores. The incident generated anger among local Hindus who continued to agitate demanding recovery and punishment to the culprits

( 16)    On the night of May 31, '99, a gang of Muslim bigots raided Shri Shri Pranab Math at PS + Dist: Madaripur and caused havoc inside. the gang also decamped with valuables worth over Taka 50,00. Despite complaint made to the police by the Math Incharge, no action taken yet

(17 )    A 200 year old Hindu burning ghat and the 'Debasthali' at No : 2 Patausha Union, PS Kamalganj, Dist: Maulvi Bazar faced attack from Islamic goondas, who are trying to usurp the property. They are threating the local Hindus to quit Bangladesh or else face dire consquence.

(18 )    On July 18, '99 a local Muslim gang led by Nilu Khan raided the house of Dilip Karmakar at vill: Munshinarayanpur, PS Muksudpur, Dist: Gopalgang and desecrated family 'Kali Pratima'. The gang decamped with valuable ornaments of the deity. 

(19 )    On Oct 18, '99 a group of Islamic bigots intruded into the 'Durga Mandap' at Charbalia-kandi, PS Goalanda, Dist: Rajbari while evening 'Arati' was in progress. They created nuisance and, when opposed, started assaulting the Hindu devotees. Quite a few Hindus sustained injuries.

( 20 )    The same day, the Thakur Naopara Sarbojamin Durga Mandap at Balia-kandi, Dist: Rajbari faced similar attack from Muslim bigots. This resulted in a clash in which several Hindu devotees sustained injuries. The police arrested a four miscreants responsible for this attack and desecration of a religious place.

( 21 )    On Oct 19, '99 a local Goonda Tafazzal Hossain (Tope) and his gang (7/8) entered the Paiskabazar Sarbojamin Durga Puja Mandap at Madhabpur, Tangail and demanded payment or Taka 10,000 from Nikhil Chandra De, the Secretary of the said Puja Committee. As this was refused, the gang members beat up the 'Purohit' and desecrated the deity

( 22 )    On Oct 20, '99, about 5/6 Muslim youth suddenly entered the 'Roypara Sarbojanin Durga Puja Mandap' at Sunamganj Town and damaged the venerated 'Pratima'. The police posted there maintained silence and remained a mute witness to this act of desecration.