BANGLADESH, November 5, 2013 (Dhaka Tribune): Members of Hindu community in Lalmonirhat on Monday came under targeted attack again, for the third time in a week of escalating sectarian tension and violence in the region.
At least 15 Hindus – including nine male and six female – were injured, 40 houses raided, four of them damaged, and valuables worth an as-yet unknown amount were looted during the attack. Many frightened families fled to neighboring villages after the attack.
The incident occurred around 12:30pm at the Satpatki Majhipara village of Mohendranagar union in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila. The injured were admitted to the Lalmonirhat general hospital, but despite deployment of additional security personnel, the atmosphere in the village remains electric with the villagers anticipating a repeat attack.
According to several victims, pro-hartal activists of BNP, led by local Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal cadre Shawn Islam, launched the attack in retaliation for refusal of some Hindu fish traders to pay tolls earlier this week.
However, Abdul Mazid Mandol, general secretary of BNP-Mohendranagar unit, denied involvement of BNP activists in the attack and said he had cautioned party activists against doing any such thing.