To : mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com

The Christian Village under Attack                                                      

This time attack is directed against a timid and innocent population belonging to Christian community. The village is Failajana, Ps Chatmohar, District Pabna. Offence: The inhabitants voted (alleged) in favour of the symbol Boat. Attackers: BNP cadres led by local BNP leaders. Here is the story in brief.

At least 25 persons were wounded in a Christian Village in Pabna as a result of barbarous attack on the villagers by the BNP cadres.

A group of armed cadres belonging to BNP attacked the village called Failjana, a Christian inhabited village in Chatmohar Upazila of Pabna district on Wednesday, 27^th February, 2002 followed by looting, ransacking and wounding 25 men and women. Their offence was that they allegedly cast votes in favour of the Boat symbol in the last general election. The wounded persons receiving treatment at the nearby hospital informed this correspondent that at about 10 a.m. a group of armed BNP cadres numbering about 200 equipped with fatal weapons, led by local BNP leader Shahjan Ali, President of Failjana union, Jinnah, Shaadat Roqunuzzaman, Jahangir, Mithu, Minna and Suman raided the said Christian Village. The attackers destroyed the houses of Subal Mandal, Gopal Babu, Gagan Rojario, ... As a result of this inhuman assault 25 men women including Subal (55), Shaila Baidya (70), Asha Parar 928), Shilpi Parara (35), Aly Parara (42), Sushanta Parara (35), Prashanta Parara (40), Chandan Parara (25) were wounded.

The hooligans firs attacked the house of Gagan Babu on Tuesday, 26^th February at about 9 a.m. On the following day at 10 a.m. they conducted atrocious activities in the said Christian village looting cash taka, gold ornaments, and other valuable article including TV sets, Friz, VCR, Record player and furniture. They not only looted the property but also destroyed valuables including furniture. Among the victims Subol received fatal injuries who has been transferred to Pabna Sadar Hospital, and others are receiving treatment at the Chatmohar upazila health complex. Subol informed us that BNP cadres often threatened them for casting votes in favour of Boat. More than 500 Christians are living in the village, and they are constantly harassed and tortured continuously for a long time by the BNP cadres and their influential leaders. Local AL leader Shahidul Islam informed that people of the locality are exposed to various kind of repression since after general election at the hands of the local BNP leaders and their followers. But people are afraid of them to speak out. Police are of no help. When asked by us at 4 p.m. yesterday, the Police super of Pabna admitted the truth of the event. He has sent the OC of Chatmohar police station for enquiry. The district AL leaders M. Saidul Haque (Vice President), and Reazur Rahim Lal (General Secretary) condemned the event and demanded for immediate arrests of the criminals. The Daily Sangbad (28. 02. 02) made the caption:

The police has arrested 3 BNP workers, so far, who were said to be involved in those atrocious activities in the said Christian village. The OC of Chatmohar Ps himself filed a case against 10 persons in this connection. When it was learnt on yesterday (28. 02. 02) that the Interior minister might come down to the village after visiting Puthia of Rajshahi the police administration became very active. The DC and the SP both visited the affected locality. However, the interior minister did turn up with much relief of the administration. It is learnt that the police and the local BNP leaders are trying to hush up the matter. With this objective they have proposed for an amicable settlement with the affected persons of the village. The affected persons alleged that although they are eager to file cases against the attackers, police is not interested. The atmosphere in the locality is still very much tensed. The same story "Vicharer Bani Nirabe Nivrie Ka(n)de" [the message of justice cries in silence and isolation]