Dhaka, February 1, 2016: Bangladesh Minority Watch has reported that unknown perpetrators launched a lethal attack on the ‘Rishi’ Hindu families at Monirampur Upazila of Jessore District in Bangladesh at around 11 pm on 30th January 2016.
Adding more, the organization said that close to 15 Rishi Hindu citizens were injured and some are still in the hospital.
This attack was made in retaliation as these Rishis had earlier tried to resist sexual violence on the Hindu community in their village.
The daily Jugantor dated 31.01.2016 has also carried the news of the attack.
Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) also said that that Md.Taherul Islam, Officer in Charge of Monirampur police station, has said that a case has been registered at his police station being Monirampur P.S. case No.34 dated 30.01.2016 under section 143/447/323/325/326/307/436/427/379/354/506 of Penal Code against 15 attackers namely 1) Ibrahim (18), 2) Mamun (20), 3) Hiro (15), 4) Khalil (40), 5) Ms. Niboni (40), 6) Rafiqul Islam (40), 7) Rabu (20), 8) Matin (45), 9) Abu Sayed (26), 10) Sohel (25), 11) Ariful Islam (24), 12) Kabir Hosain (45), 13) Shahid (55), 14), Israb Hossain (54), 15) Tozammel (40) and other 10 to 12 unknown perpetrators.
The police also said that three perpetrators namely 1) Ms. Jiboni (40), 2) Akbar (20) and 3) Zahidul (20) have been already arrested and that the police force has been deployed on the spot.
The complainant of the case is Adhir Das (49) who is a local resident and he has said that now he fears for his safety within the locality and has demanded protection for his life and his property.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh-based human rights organization also spoke to the local Member of Parliament Sawpan Kumar Bhattacharjee who also visited the spot along with D.C., S.P., and officers from other law enforcing agencies and he assured the victims of assistance.
Kumar also condemned the attack on Rishi families and expressed sorrow on this unfortunate incident. But what was most troubling was the statement that he gave in which he disclosed that some of the attackers are of the Chatra League of the ruling party.
As of now no compensation has been received by the families who suffered the attack.
Last year, constant attacks on minorities prompted US Congress members, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Salmon and Robert J. Dold to jointly introduce a resolution to protect religious minorities in Bangladesh.
