Author:
Publication: Human Rights Congress
for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)
Date: April 24, 2002
Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh
Minorities (HRCBM) is deeply shocked at the brutal murder of Buddhist Monk,
Gyanjyoti Barua, of Hingala hill tract, in Raujan, Chittagong. We express
our grave concern for the safety and security of the Buddhist and other
minority communities in the region and all over Bangladesh.
According to daily Janakantha dated
April 23, 2002, members of the SAKA group, who are supporters of the ruling
BNP party of Bangladesh, attacked Mr. Barua on Sunday, April 21 around
midnight and slaughtered him in his Anath Ashram (Orphanage). According
to the local community, the slaughtering was led by two cadres of the SAKA
group namely Ajijul Haque and Taslime Uddin.
A devotee at the orphanage, Mr.
Mahanam Shram stated that Mr. Barua entered his room after the daily prayer
services at the night of his murder around 12:30 AM at night. Suddenly
a group of 7 to 8 terrorists burst into the orphanage with Chinese knives
and swords. The terrorists then tied up Mahanam Shram and murdered Mr.
Barua at his second floor room by slashing his throat. According to the
community, SAKA group wanted the land belonging to this orphanage to expand
their terrorist operations at Hingala. The terrorists had threatened to
kill Mr. Barua numerous times and wanted to occupy the orphanage so that
they could operate from there and rob the funds donated by Netherlands,
which is valued at 25 lakhs Taka ($12,000.00) per year.
Buddhist and other minority communities
around Raujan are in a state of shock. They are besieged by the lack of
safety, security of life and possessions.
We, on behalf of the HRCBM, urge
the Bangladesh Government to immediately arrest the criminals and give
them exemplary punishment, and ensure safety and security of the minority
community.
Chanchal Chatterjee
Secretary General
Human Rights Congress for Bangladeshi
Minorities (HRCBM)
P.O. Box 5493, Santa Clara, CA
95056-5493, U.S.A.
Tel: (212) 592-3627, Fax: (212)
202-7683
