Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities of Dallas-Fort Worth (HRCBM-DFW) P.O. Box 117080 Carrollton, TX 75011-7080, USA http://www.hrcbmdfw.org Email: hrcbmdfw@hrcbmdfw.org

Press Release

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

Murder of Buddhist Monk, Jnan Jyoti Barua- Bring the Criminals to Justice

The Human Right Congress for Bangladesh Minorities-Dallas Fort Worth (HRCBM-DFW) is deeply shocked at the brutal murder of Buddhist Monk, Jnan Jyoti Barua, of Hingala hill tract, in Rawjan, Chittagong. We express our grave concern about the safety and security of the Buddhist and other minority communities in that region and all over Bangladesh. The minorities must be protected.

According to the daily Janakantha, April 23, 2002, and an eyewitness, a devote at the Ashram, Mr. Mahanam Shram, on Sunday, April 21 Mr. Barua entered to his room after the daily prayer services at night. It was around 12:30 at night, suddenly a group of 7 to 8 terrorists burst into the Ashram with Chinese knife and swords. The miscreants then tie up "Mahanam Shram" and murdered Mr. Barua at his second floor room by slashing his throat. According to the community, SAKA gang wanted this orphanage to expand their terrorist operation at Hingala. The miscreants have threatened to kill Mr. Barua numerous times and wanted to occupy the Ashram so that they could operate from there and take control of the funds donated by Netherlands. According to local community, the slaughtering was led by two cadres of the SAKA gang namely Ajijul Haque and Taslim Uddin.

The Buddhist and other minority communities around Rawjan are in a state of shock and panic. Lack of safety, security of life and possessions besiege them.

We, on behalf of the HRCBM-DFW, urge the Government of Bangladesh to immediately arrest the criminals, give them exemplary punishment, and ensure safety and security of the minority community.

HRCBM-DFW

P.O. Box 117080

Carrollton, TX 75011-7080, USA

http://www.hrcbmdfw.org
Email: hrcbmdfw@hrcbmdfw.org