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Sherpur (AsiaNews) – The discovery of the body of a businessman has sparked tensions and violence against an indigenous Garo Catholic community in Sherpur, a district in northern Bangladesh.
Church leaders and local community representatives are calling on the authorities to avoid collective blame and ensure the safety of residents while the investigation into the murder continues.
Police recovered the body of Billal Hossain, 45, a rice trader from Jhenaigati, on Wednesday, eight days after his disappearance.
The remains were found buried near the Ranjana stream, in the Purba Gajarikura area, not far from several villages inhabited by ethnic Garo, who are mostly Catholic.
The body was found when some farmers working nearby noticed a strong odour coming from an area near the stream.
After checking it, they found a body buried in the ground and alerted the authorities. The police then recovered the remains and sent them for a post mortem.
According to investigators, Hossain may have been killed before he was buried where he was found. The motive and circumstances of his death, however, remain unclear.
So far, as part of the investigation, 19 Catholics have been detained for questioning.
The discovery of the body, however, has sparked tensions in the area. According to residents and local leaders, after the news spread, groups from nearby Bengali-majority villages attacked the homes of Garo families in Bandadhara and surrounding areas.
Several Catholics were injured, and according to local witnesses, six houses were damaged, one was set on fire, and several animals, including cattle and goats, were taken away. Furniture and other family belongings were also destroyed or burnt.
For many Garo families, the investigation into Hossain's death has thus turned into a situation of fear and uncertainty.
“At a time when the facts surrounding the killing are still unknown, it is deeply troubling that an entire community is being blamed,” a local Christian leader told AsiaNews. “Instead of identifying the real perpetrators through a proper investigation, innocent people have become targets.”
Despite the deployment of security forces, several Garo families say they still do not feel safe.
Community leaders report that, even after the worst of the violence has ended, travel restrictions and a climate of intimidation remain in place in the village.
“Fear remains,” one local resident said. “People are worried about what could happen next and whether they will be able to live normally again.”
Church: No guilt without proof
Church representatives have taken action to help restore calm and urge protection for local residents.
Father Lawrence Ribeiro, pastor at the Mariamnagar parish, visited the affected area along with other priests, nuns, and community representatives.
In their meetings with police, they urged the authorities to ensure the safety of local Christians and avoid arresting innocent people.
“We requested that security be provided and that no one be treated as guilty without evidence,” Church representatives said following the meetings.
Aronno Chiran, a local Catholic leader, took part in discussions with representatives of indigenous organisations, including the Tribal Welfare Association, and with religious and law enforcement officials, including Sherpur Police Superintendent AKM Zahirul Islam.
The aim of the meetings was to help restore peace and prevent further violence. “The superintendent assured us that normalcy will return very soon,” Chiran told AsiaNews.
Jhenaigati police station chief SM Nur Mohammad said that the situation is currently under control and legal proceedings in the murder case are underway.
The victim's body has been transferred to Sherpur District Hospital for forensic examinations.
Sherpur Police Superintendent AKM Zahirul Islam said that the authorities are treating the case with the utmost seriousness and that anyone found responsible for the murder or subsequent violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
