Hill Voice, 4 July 2023, Cox’s Bazar: It has been reported that a septuagenarian Buddhist monk was attacked by unknown miscreants in Haldiapalong Union of Ukhia Upazila under Cox’s Bazar district yesterday, 3 July 2023. It is reported that he is currently undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital with serious injuries.

The victim Buddhist monk is identified as Ven. Dharmajyoti (72). He is the principal of the local Morichya Srabasti Buddhist Temple. It is said that he left the family life and took Prabajya (path of spiritualism) about 13 years ago.

According to the concerned sources, yesterday early morning, a group of unidentified miscreants broke the door of the Buddhist temple and entered the temple, and at that time, hit the principal of the Temple, Ven. Dharmajyoti, with sharp weapons. The seriously injured Buddhist monk lost consciousness.

Later, around 6:30 am, the victim’s grandson, Bappi Barua, went to the Buddhist monastery to give siong (food) and found Ven. Dharmajyoti badly injured and unconscious.
After that, with the help of Bappi Barua and local residents, Ven. Dharmajyoti was first taken to Ukhia Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

The doctors in-charge of the complex sent the injured Buddhist monk to Cox’s Bazar District Hospital shortly after. But as the physical condition of the injured Buddhist monk deteriorated, he was again sent from Cox’s Bazar District Hospital to Chittagong Medical College and Hospital.

According to concerned sources, the injured Buddhist monk has injuries on his head, hands and other parts of his body.

According to local sources, a group of miscreants attacked and looted a local Buddhist monastery in 2012.

It is reported that a case has been registered with Ukhia police station regarding the incident. However, till the writing of this report, the police are not known to have arrested anyone.
Meanwhile, after the attack, it is said that there has been deep anxiety and panic among the people of the Buddhist community in the area.

Oikya Parishad condemned and angered by the attack on Shrimat Dharmajyoti.

Yesterday in a press release signed by the office secretary of Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, Mihir Ranjan Howladar, strongly condemned and protested the attack on the Buddhist monk Ven. Dharmajyoti and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and strict punishment.