Dhaka, June 15, 2016: It was a harrowing day for five minority Hindu women in Bangladesh.
Perpetrators associated with the Shecca Shebak League stripped five Hindu women nude and beat them mercilessly in full public glare on this Monday (13th June, 2016).
Not satisfied with that alone, the perpetrators, numbered 25-30, armed with weapons also attacked 6 Hindu-owned shops, tore down houses and looted property of the minority community.
On Monday, at about 7 p.m. a gang of perpetrators numbering 25 to 30 under the leadership of Salam Howlader and his brother Kalam Howlader equipped with sharp weapons attacked the shops and tried to occupy the shops and houses belonging to the minority Hindus. Due to this attack at least 11 people have been seriously injured and two among these have been admitted to Patuakhali Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Bangladesh Minority Watch brought this incident to light while The Daily Janakantha also reported the incident.
The attack on Monday evening, at about 7 pm, was pre-planned and was taken under the leadership of Abdus Salam (40) son of Joynal Abedin of Madhavpur Bazar, Adabaria Union of Boufaul Upazila in the Patuakhali District.
Police was able to arrest only one of the perpetrators – Al-Ameen while all the others are absconding, informed Azam Khan Faruki- Officer in Charge of Baufaul police station.
The reason for the attack was the continuous land litigation between a Hindu man Sanjib Chandra Oza and Mohammad Salam Howlader.
Bangladesh Minority Watch contacted with Sayed Mosfiqur Rahman – Superintendent of Police, Patuakhali District who said that a case has been registered against Md. Abdus Salam (40) and 7 others and a perpetrator, Al-Ameen, has also been arrested for the interrogation. BDMW lawyer also communicated with Azam Khan Faruki – Officer in Charge of Baufaul police station over his mobile said that Baufaul PS Case No.17 dated 14.06.2016 under section 143/448/380/323/325/326/307/354/427/506 of Penal code has been started against those perpetrators.
Hindu community has often been targeted for their property in Bangladesh and land grabbing is common.
