Dinajpur: Kali temple and Christian cemetery vandalised over land dispute
On Sunday, a mob attacked Sanka Christian Para, a tribal village, injuring six. The raid stemmed from ongoing tensions over land claimed by Rezaul Islam. Catholics in the area, where PIME missionaries were the first to proclaim the Gospel in 1965, have appealed to the authorities for help and protection.
Dinajpur (AsiaNews) – Fresh sectarian violence broke out in Bangladesh, as tensions simmer and critical issues remain unsolved.
On Saturday, in northern Bangladesh, a temple dedicated to Kali, and its adjoining crematorium were vandalised and set on fire while a Christian cemetery was attacked. At least six people were injured, fuelling ongoing tensions connected to a long-standing land dispute.
The incident occurred near Sanka Christian Para, a tribal village in Palatpur Union, Birganj Upazila, Dinajpur District. The village is part of the Parish of Nijpara (Diocese of Dinajpur).
Local sources report that, the Kali idol was destroyed during the attack and then thrown into a nearby cornfield. Three Christians and three Hindus were injured when locals attempted to resist the attackers.
According to residents, the attack was led by a hired group led by Rezaul Islam, son of Abdul Kader of Ghoraband village, and his uncle Azad, son of Azgar Sahaji.
The attack was part of an attempt to seize lands traditionally used by the indigenous Murmu and Soren communities.
Birganj Police Station Chief Saiful Islam confirmed that the dispute concerns title to land claimed by Rezaul Islam, part of which includes the temple and the cemetery.
The officer noted that tribal families insist they have lived on the land for generations, while Rezaul Islam recently claimed he owns it.
The police chief reported that, around 1 pm on 19 April, a mob of about 200 people, allegedly led by Rezaul Islam and Azad, attacked the temple and the cemetery in order to take over the land.
The attackers vandalised the statues inside and outside the Kali temple using sticks, iron rods, and sharp weapons, felled a dozen trees in the cemetery, and damaged a nearby house.
When members of the indigenous community attempted to stop the desecration, they were beaten, resulting in several injuries.
Police arrived after receiving a report and dispersed the attackers. Afterwards, they deployed patrols to prevent further violence and seized material useful for the investigation: among the objects recovered were destroyed statuettes and idols, along with other evidence.
Among the most seriously injured, Pius Murmu and Bishwanath were hospitalised at the Birganj Upazila Health Complex. Speaking from the hospital, Pius Murmu said that their families have lived on the land for generations and that the attack was a deliberate attempt to illegally seize it.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Antony Murmu, a Catholic and head of the village of Sanka, explained that the cemetery belongs to the Christian community, while a Hindu shrine and the Kali temple stand next to it.
“They first vandalised the Kali temple and broke the idols,” he said. “Then they began cutting down the trees in the Christian burial ground. When we tried to stop them, they attacked us. Three Christians and three Hindus were injured; two of them are in hospital with serious injuries.”
The Catholic leader appealed to the authorities for help and protection.
“This cemetery has been used by our Christian community for 80 years,” he said. “The government must ensure our security. No one should be allowed to occupy this cemetery.”
The community leader reported that, following the accident, Father Cherubim Bakla arrived from the Bishop’s House in Dinajpur. As the bishop's representative, he inspected the area and expressed solidarity to the affected families.
Speaking about the village and its history, Antony Murmu said that missionaries from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) arrived in the area in 1965 to preach the Gospel.
“Many families embraced Christianity at that time,” he said, noting that about 50 Catholic families currently live in Sanka Christian Para.
Father Proshanta L. Gomes, Nijpara’s parish priest, strongly condemned the violence. Today, he travelled to the Birganj Upazila Health Complex to visit the victims and show his solidarity.
“We strongly protest this attack on Christians and Hindus,” he told AsiaNews. “We demand justice for those responsible, and our people must be given proper security,” he added.
Despite the appeals and requests, tensions in the village remain high. A senior police officer from Dinajpur is expected to visit the village to assess the situation and find a solution.
Interviewed by journalists, Rezaul Islam stated that he legally purchased 41 per cent of the land in 1999 and another 48 per cent in 2023, maintaining that only about 4 per cent falls within the cemetery area. He denied allegations that he or his supporters attacked residents.
.png)
21/06/2017 11:16
22/03/2021 16:51
