A Hindu family is on the run after being threatened with death after their businesses were attacked, vandalized and looted in Amtali sub-district under Barguna district of southern Bangladesh. Victim Rameshwar Roy has submitted a written complaint to Amtali police station in this regard, Bengali language national daily newspaper of Bangladesh, “Desh Rupantor” has reported.

According to the complaint lodged at Amtali police station and local sources, the family of poor Rameshwar Roy had a dispute with Moti Sikder, Mamun Sikder, Al Amin Sikder and Maqbul Sikder over various issues including land. As a result of this, Moti Sikdar, Maqbool Sikder and gang vandalized Rameshwar Roy’s shop and looted everything. At that time Rameshwar’s family was chased with sharp weapons and they somehow escaped and saved their lives.

When Desh Rupantor newspaper asked accused Al Amin Sikdar over cell phone in this regard, he claimed that he did not know who vandalized Rameshwar Roy’s shop. “I was sick, not even there”, claimed accused Al Amin Sikdar. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Amtali police station, AKM Mizanur Rahman admitted to receiving the complaint and said that ‘legal action will be taken after the investigation’.

In another case of persecution of the Hindu minority, 50 people from 8 families have been blocked inside their homes as several access routes were fenced with bamboos by local influential Rabiul Alam Rajib, defying the status quo issued by the court (Section 144) in Nagarkanda sub-district under Faridpur district of south-central Bangladesh, The Desh Rupantor report stated.

After receiving the news, Nagarkanda sub-district executive magistrate managed a temporary route, but the victims told Desh Rupantor that it is too narrow to bring agricultural crops through the area that has been left for them. However, Rabiul Alam Rajib told the newspaper that they have taken possession of the purchased land by fencing it. Denying the issue of encroachment in disobedience of court orders, he said that even though the fence was constructed, they have made some arrangements for transportation due to ‘humanitarian reasons’.

Nagarkanda police station OC Miraj Hossain said that the notice was issued to maintain the status quo. On the day of the incident, police went there and arranged their passage. Executive magistrate of the sub-district, Moinul Haque said that the decision of the court is necessary for a permanent solution.