Press Release English 12.01.2025 1
92 Incidents of Attacks
Targeting Minorities and Indigenous Communities: Oikya Parishad
In a press release issued by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, it has been
reported that violence against religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous communities
continues unabated, as in the past. In the first two months of this year, January and February,
a total of 92 incidents of violence targeting minorities and indigenous communities have
occurred. These include 11 murders, 3 cases of rape, 25 attacks on temples, 1 allegation of
religious disrespect, 6 attacks on indigenous communities, 38 incidents of attacks, vandalism,
and looting of homes and businesses, 2 cases of job dismissals, and 6 other attacks.
It is worth noting that from 4th August to 31st December last year, a total of 2,184 incidents
of attacks targeting minorities were reported. These included 32 murders, 133 attacks on
places of worship, 13 cases of sexual abuse and rape of hindu and indegenous women, 1,906
incidents of attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson on homes and businesses, 47 cases of land
and business occupation, 38 incidents of physical assault, and 15 arrests on allegations of socalled religious disrespect. Detailed reports of these incidents were shared with the public
through press conferences on 19th September, 2024, and 30th January, 2025.
Leaders visit incident sites
On the night of 9th March, a representative team led by the Acting General Secretary of the
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Monindra Kumar Nath, visited the site of
a brutal murder and gold looting in Noyarhat Bazar, Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka. The victim, Dilip
Das, a gold trader, was mercilessly killed. The delegation included Joint General Secretary
Rabindra Nath Basu, Youth Unity Council Office Secretary Sujit Kumar Ghosh, Dhaka District
Committee General Secretary Pradeep Kumar Das, Ashulia Puja Celebration Committee
President Ashis Nag, General Secretary Shambhu Sarkar, and other local leaders. The leaders
expressed their condolences to the wife and family of Dilip Das and demanded the immediate
arrest of the perpetrators, ensuring exemplary punishment through a fair trial. During the visit,
the leaders met with Additional Police Superintendent (DB) Tarikul Islam, who was present at
the scene, and urged him to ensure a proper investigation into the murder. Additionally, the
delegation visited the site in Bashbari village under Ashulia Thana where the land of Santosh
Bhattacharya’s house is allegedly being illegally occupied by a certain Jahangir Alam.
