Sumon Corraya

For Rosaline Costa , coordinator of Hotline Bangladesh, the country " is at the mercy of the ego of politicians." She warns that the "climate has to change, otherwise the situation will get worse". Since January, 347 people have been killed in violent clashes between political factions . Most of them are innocent citizens.

Violence degenerated during the hartal ( strike) called by the Nationalist Party to pressure the prime minister. Supporters of the government and the opposition trade homemade bombs and Molotov cocktails. Transport is paralyzed. To disperse the protesters, the police opened fire .

The President of the Episcopal Conference launches a fundraiser , the proceeds will be donated to the Filipino bishops to help the victims and survivors . The collection will start on December 1st in all the parishes , educational institutions , religious congregations , organizations, and among the faithful of the country.

At least 2 thousand Catholics attended the liturgy. One faithful affirms: "This year has made me stronger." The parish of Tejgaon was founded in 1677.

About a thousand Muslim residents in Barisla Sadar attacked and burned down the Hindu side of the village of Charaicha : the number of those killed and injured still unknown. According to the police riots were sparked by the death of the young Parvez , a Muslim , who was killed in a fight with his Hindu peers.

Violent strikes (hartal) by the country's main political parties have paralysed the country's economy. The latest episode has left 20 people dead and dozens badly burnt. As vegetable prices rise, unsold milk turns sour. Meanwhile, opposition leader Khaleda Zia and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina continue their tug-of-war ahead of next year's elections.

The three members of the Bangladesh National Party ( BNP) are accused of inciting violence . Their arrest is due to the climate of tension in recent months and in view of the 72-hour general strike scheduled for tomorrow. Clashes in Dhaka between BNP protesters and police.

Bishop George Kocherry is 68 years old and is a native of Kerala. In the past he served as secretary in the nunciatures in South Korea, Costa Rica, Nigeria , West Indies , Thailand , Singapore, Switzerland and Australia , and as a Papal representative to Ghana and Zimbabwe.

Members of the Bangladesh Rifle attacked their officers four years ago over unpaid wages. The uprising triggered the reaction of the regular army, which culminated in 160 deaths: 140 soldiers and 20 civilians. A court convicts 263 people on lesser charges, acquits another 271.

A Christian youth association set up a field surgery to help Badhun village residents. Doctors from a private facility in Dhaka contributed to the initiative. Every year, 80,000 people go blind in Bangladesh because their eyes are not examined in time.

Pratibeshi is the digital version of the first Catholic paper in Bengali (Bangla). The initiative is designed to spread the Gospel message and the Church's teachings via new media.

The teacher, 68, taught at St Joseph High School in Bompara for 42 years. Founded in 1963 by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, the school celebrates its golden jubilee this year. His students remember the teacher as an "honest and creative" man who raised the school to top spot in the district.