Hill Voice, 7 December 2023, Dhaka: A group of armed miscreants, in sudden attack, not only disrupted the ongoing Nama Yagya and Vaishnava Grand-Festival at Kazirgaon in Keraniganj Upazila not distant from Dhaka, but also caused serious injuries of 8 devotees, molesting women, forcible break of shankhas of several women.
Today (December 7), Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikyo Parishad informed the matter through a press release signed by Mihir Ranjan Howladar, Office Secretary of the organization.
Among the injured, Kokil Mondal and Sanjay Mondal were rushed to Dhaka’s Mitford Hospital for treatment. Attempting to murder with a chapati (knife), Kokil Mandal was chopped on head while Sanjay Mandal on the left palm caused bleeding and serious injuries.
According to the press release, this incident happened on December 1 around 2 pm. 30 or 40 unidentified persons including Oli, Maqbul, Hashan of same village and Kuddus and Sany from of Kumlivita village were involved in the attack.
The day after incident, a case was filed with the South Keraniganj police station. But so far only one accused has been arrested, according to the press release.
A two-member delegation of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad visited the spot yesterday afternoon (December 6) and inquired about the injured persons. The delegates were- Presidium Member Kajal Debnath and joint general secretary Manindra Kumar Nath of Oikyo Parishad. Local Oikyo Parisa President Madan Mohan Sarkar was with the delegation.
After visiting the scene, the leaders of Oikya Parishad said in a statement that the Nama Yagya ceremony and festival of the Hindu community across the country has started as previous years and it is expected to continue till next March. Ahead of the 12th National General Election, there is a fear of attacks by some communal groups on these religious festivals as part of a blue print to create a vacillating state in the country. In this regard, they expected the government and the Election Commission to immediately address the issue.
