Dear Mukto-Monas,

Here is 2nd part of my previous posting ""Repression on Minority Community Continuing: Buddhist Monk Killed" The truth is gradually revealing. No body believes except the staunch supporters of government of 4-pary alliance that the family members of the ill fated monk are involved in the conspiracy of killing the peace loving Buddhist Monk who devoted his life to preach peace and tranquility in the world.

 

Ajoy Roy

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Buddhist Monk Killed by BNP cadres-Part II

-Ajoy Roy

 

Part 1 can be viwed at : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/5595 

Attempt is being made to divert the course of killing of Buddhist monk at Raozan. For this purpose a new story behind the killing has been fabricated- i.e. the police is trying to establish that real reason behind the killing is land dispute.

However, according to his first FIR, Sulal Barua alleged that BNP cadres belonging to S. K. Choudhury faction committed the crime for extortion of money and ultimately with the intention of grabbing the property in the absence of the monk., the police are trying to divert it in different course under pressure from the top.

It may be recalled that the police arrested wife of Sulal Barua (Monk's brother), Mrs Nipu Barua and a neighbour Pradeep Barua next day (Monday) following the killing of Buddhist Monk at Raozan Hingla Monastery on Sunday night. While Pradeep was sent to the jail but mentally imbalance Nipu was produced before the court which granted three-day remand under police custody.

A police team was constituted consisting of OC in-charge of Rauzan Ps, ASP Circle Abu Kalam Siddique, OC Belal Uddin Tarafdar, ASI Zaman Hosain, and Shiabuddin Mahmud and ASI Belly Begum- all of district detective branch to interrogate the accused. The family of Nipu Barua brought in complain to the court that Nipu became sick yesterday morning (24th April) because of physical and mental torture carried on by the team during interrogation. Hearing the allegation court cancelled the remand order and on the order of the court she was then transferred to the jail from the police remand yesterday noon (24th April).

It is learnt that Mr. Sulal Barua (husband of Nipu), the plaintiff is in a state of insecurity with his 3-year daughter. He alleged that as he refused to sign the police made ezahar-nama (allegation sheet) the police tortured him physically and applied pressure to sign it on Monday (22nd April). It is further learnt that in order to grab the large property of the Vihara and as the Vikshu was adamant not to pay monthly subscription imposed on him the Armed cadres of Azizur Rahman Bahini, a top terrorist belonging to BNP cadres repeatedly threatened the Vikshu of severe consequences including threat of killing. But the police did not take notice of these activities of the BNP terrorists in spite of the fact that the Vikshu drew attention of the local police administration on several occasions. The family of the deceased monk now is alleging that even now the police are not taking any significant note of the past activities of the Aziz Bahini. Instead, they are trying to cover up the real culprits on the instruction of the BNP high command. This is a serious allegation. The family members are convinced that the BNP terrorist group belonging to Aziz Bahini has committed the barbarous killing. On the other hand the only eye witness of the inhuman crime teenager Shraman Mahana is being constantly threatened from many an outside corners. But the police are not taking any serious step for his safety, although it is apprehended that an unpleasant event might take place at any moment.

In continuation of police's own theory they have yet arrested another apparently innocent person again. He is Putul Barua (38), a teacher of the Warapunga-ana orphanage established by Jnanajyoti. Including him the police so far arrested 3 persons in connection of the killing, other two being Nipu Barua ( wife of brother of the deceased monk) and a neigbour Pradeep Barua.

 

Theory Behind Police Version: 

Police Version:

Police are now working on three hypotheses to identify the culprits:

1. The most discussed one is: attempt to grab the huge properties of the orphanage by the family members.

2. To grasp foreign contribution that used to come to the orphanage fund on a regular basis by an interested quarter.

3. A scandal of the monk's brother living in Canada.

On the basis of these assumptions the police have arrested a mentally unstable housewife Nipu Barua, wife of Sulal Barua, the plaintiff and one neighbor. However no body believes that theses innocent people could commit such an inhuman-barbarous killing in such brutal way. The local peoples strongly feel that police action is primarily meant for diversion tactic to cover up the real killers being looked after a top BNP leader.

 

But who are these Aziz Bahini ?

Many a time it was reported that :

"Raozan Ps under the Control of 5 Top Terrorists"

It is now known even to a child that five top terrorists are in control of the Janapad called Raozan, an upazila with a police station at the sadar in Chittagong district, a hilly area densely forested compared to other parts of Chittagong district. It is an ideal place for sanctuary of terrorist groups. It is further alleged that these top terrorists conduct their atrocious activities under the direct patronage of one top BNP leader, happened to BD PM's advisor to the rank of a full cabinet minister. The terrorist group under the protectorate of the said leader operates in and around the locality. Th group has established it as undeclared ruler of the locality as such the police are reluctant as well as afraid to take any action against them; on the contrary the police have to fabricate many fictitious stories to cover them. One such story is that the members of the monk's family are involved in the killing.

For this reason the police are spreading fictitious stories about the life style of deceased Vikshu in order to divert the course of action in a different channel. To create a base of such stories the police framed their own charges and forcibly taken signature of the deceased brother. The police did not stop there; they are extorting malicious allegation against the monk from the orphans and officials of the institution.

These top rulers of Raozan are: Azizul Haque, Fazlul Haque, Bidhan Barua, Mohammad Rafiq Bagaiya and Taslimuddin Mantu. During the last 16 years as many as 42 persons were killed at their hands, the last one being the Buddhist monk. There are several cases against these top ferocious terrorists. They were arrested in the past, but each time they come out successfully on bails. A top BNP leader is their godfather. Under his patronage they continuing their atrocities and terrorism that include abduction, extortion and imposition of tax and killing. Through their such notorious activities they have accumulated huge wealth. They behave like King(s) without crown. It is learnt that this group has AK 47 rifles, SLRs, SMGs, and conventional rifles (3-0-3) and they openly carry these weapons with them.

Taslimuddin Mantu and Hasan Azizul Haque are leading the terrorist activities in the locality called Varua and Haladiya under Ps Raozan. There are several cases of killing, abduction and extortion of money against Taslimuddin in Hathazari, Fatikchhari and Raozan PSs. It quite well known that Tasllimuddin is involved on the killing of Principal Muhuri. He was arrested from the shelter of Shibir cadre Nasir at Chittagong College hostel with large number of weapons in 1996. He was released before the last year's general election by the care taker government. The top terrorist of once NDP cadre illiterate Azizul Haque is a son of Abdul Monaf of village Hingla. He used to help his poor father by selling wooden fuels collected from hilly areas. He was caught red handed while he was trying to steal a cycle in 1990 at Dakua in the village Hingla in 1990. He entered the world of terrorism in 1991 when he snatched away a large sum of money from the workers and officials of a rubber-planting garden at Dakua. From this time Azizul Haque got involved all sorts of terrorism- Extortion, Killing and abduction in the locality. There are 20 cases relating to atrocious activities against them including Killing of Alamgir, Student league leader Emdad, Chairman Akhter Hosain (Raju), Moharram all of Rauzan. He also killed two HSC examinee students, sons of Mantu Master of Ramnathpara at Dabua union in 1993 with an axe when the boys were returning from the Haladiya Dalaibari Mazar.

 

How the Monastery was established ?

History of the Orphanage:

 

The orphanage was established in 1988. It has landed property of over 4 acres. These landed properties are properties of Jnanajyoti. More over all these properties are in his name, and there is none to propel the administration of the orphanage and its wealth. The institution receives good amount from the donors of different countries. Last time the Vikshu appealed for a donation of US$ 11,000 (~ over 6 lakh taka) to the Ark Bishop of New York. It is rumored that he had received the money. It is alleged that the younger brother of the monk, living in Canada, took one lakh taka from one Pradeep Barua, a neighbour for taking him to Canada. But this did not materialize. There had been some meeting to settle the matter. It is alleged that Pradeep threatened the monk through one Iqbal, a notorious terrorist of the locality.

After initiation to Vikshuism, it is learnt Jnanjyoti spent long 5 years in association of with Vikshu Dhramaraja Warapung-an of Thailand. The Dhramarja advised him to go back to his own country inducing him to establish an orphanage for which the Dhrmaraj promised him to get for him necessary donations from different countries. He as per advice of his Guru, started an orphanage with boys and girls of ages between 6 to 16 years in 1988. The orphanage was named as ' Warapung-an Shelter for Orphans' (Warapung-an Anath Ashram). Many Chakma, Marma, Tippera orphans from Chittagong hill tracts, Barua and Hindu orphans are being brought up here since its inception. A new brick building was built in 1996-97. Two separate buildings- one accommodating 70 girls and another accommodating 50 boys were constructed. At present more than 120 orphans and 20 employees live here. Pulin Behari Barua, father of the VIkshu donated 10 Kanis of land to the orphanage. It is learnt that expenses of the orphanage usually could be maintained from the donation received from outside. Different donor associations of 47 countries are linked with this orphanage. Each donor has contributed for different purpose. There are many other organizations too that have been contributing since its inception. But the main donor so far is Netherlands based 'Terdas Homes'. So far this donor institution contributed over one crore taka. It is learnt that 'Terdas Homes' had donated Taka 14 lakhs in 1996, Taka 17 lakh in 1997, in 1999 taka 21 lake and in 2002 the amount is 24 lake. With this sum the Vikshu not only maintain the expenses of the orphanage but, stated Agricultural, dairy farms and an educational project. In order to open poultry farm, technical education, and "mother-child health complex" he appealed to many donor organizations out side the country.

How the Vikshu was assassinated?

More details are now available how the monk was killed . The Vikshu returned from Dhaka on Sunday 21st April and went to his office at 5 p.m. at the orphanage. At about 11 p.m. he went to bed after completing his left over secretarial work. His bedroom is adjacent to his office at first floor of the two storied building meant for the girl-orphanage. Before he went to bed he asked his aid Shraman Mahanam, a student of class V to lock up the main gate of the orphanage. As the boy was drawing the collapsible gate, the miscreants grabbed him, and tied him with a pillar blindfolded. Next a group of 15-20 armed youths entered the bedroom of the monk. According to Mhanam they wore shirt and pant, their faces covered with masks. After killing the monk they left the place within half an hour. They asked Mahanam before leaving the place, to tell the brother of the Monk, Sulal Barua to lead an honest life. They further threatened that if younger brother of the monk , Bhupal Barua Prakash Mukta would ever return from Canada they would simply kill him as they did it to the monk and would eat his flesh raw. Now readers can you think, as envisaged by the police, Nipu Barua or for that matter Putul Barua, the teacher of the orphanage or even Pradeep Barua kill their reverend monk so brutally and utter those filthy language ? Are we that fool to believe this version of police?

Visit of Luminaries

Visit of Siddhananda Mahathero

Yesterday (25th April), Buddhist religious leader Siddhananda Mahathero from Dhaka visited the orphanage and the locality. The students and employees of the institution complained to the religious leader that police were torturing them (including children).

It is further learnt that the German Ambassador might visit the locality today (26th April).

Visit of Japanese officials of Japan Embassy

On Friday two Japanese officials from the embassy visited the locality. They expressed their resentment regarding the failure of the police to round up real culprits of the event. The two officials were Mr. Kiyokaju Ota and Mr. Kenji Sonabe and Japanese Vikshu Monk Reverend T. N. Watanaber, the founder Director general of Mohamuni Welfare Centre for Widows and child orphans, after attending the funeral met the top Buddhist leaders of the locality and inquired about the present condition of the Hingla monastery.

Protest Continuing

 

The wretched Orphans Protest killing of their Mhaguru:

 

A group of 96 orphans of the Vihara submitted a memorandum addressed to the PM Khaleda through the district commissioner of Chittagong on 23rd April.

The orphans led by the officials and workers of the Vihara came to Chittagong city at about 2 p.m. from Raozan, proceeded to the DC office in procession and then submitted a memorandum that condemned the police-attempt to divert the course of event addressed to the PM requesting her to find the real culprits. The memorandum also expressed their sense of insecurity prevailing at the orphanage.

 

The memorandum alleged that the police are trying to cover the real killers and demanded to arrest the real killers. They further demanded to bring the orphanage under the patronage of the government.

 

Protest of Hindu Buddha Christian Oikya Parisad

The Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parisat also submitted a memorandum to the PM through the DC Chittagong on the same day alleging that the administration is trying to divert the course of event in a different channel with the intention to save the real culprits. It appealed to the PM to bring the real killers to justice.

The Oikya Parisad came to the DC office in procession in the afternoon starting from the Bouddha Vihara, Nankeen Kana after parading the city. The procession was led by top minority leaders of the city including Bikiran Prasad Barua, Advocate Rana Dasgupta, Dr. Jinu Choudhury Vikshu, Tapas Hore, Principal Preetisana Barua, and Lion Adarsha Kumar Barua. In brief statements the speakers asked the administration to take severe action against the miscreants who committed the crime instead of harassing the innocent Buddhists.

 

The memorandum alleged that for a long time a quarter under the protection of BNP has been trying to grasp the huge property of worth 10 crore taka of the Vihara. It is also alleged that a top leader of the party in power is providing necessary protection to this quarter.

 

Press conference held by Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parisad:

The leaders of the Oikya Parisad, Chittagong unit in a press conference held on yesterday ( 26th April) condemned the police's total failure of arresting the culprits even after so many days. They accused that an interested quarters of the locality is trying to divert the course of action to a different channel in order to save the culprits involved in the killing. The parisad leaders also took a serious note of the unconcerned attitude of a top BNP local leader and advisor to the PM Mr. Salahuddin Kader Choudhury. He even not condemned nor expressed any sympathy at the killing of a peace loving Buddhist monk of his locality. The leaders announced a 4-day program in order to pursue their demand for immediate arrest of the culprits and proper investigation of the case. Action of the police is simply an eye wash, the leaders accused. When the family members of the deceased Vikshu are mortified and still to recover great shock, the police in the name of investigation are constantly harassing them; they are constant threat and repression from the police. The police have already arrested 3 innocent persons including the wife of Vikshu's brother.

 

Since October 1 last year many minority community members were killed. In broad daylight the Principal Gopal Chandra Muhuri was killed in his residence in Chittagong. But even after 5 months the police failed to do anything positive in spite of the fact that on the very day the home minister ordered the top police administration to round up the culprits and reveal the cause of murder. But police utterly failed. The Vikshu killing might meet the same fate the leaders apprehended.

 

Programme of action :

The program as chalked out by the parisad is as follows:

Old revolutionary leader Benode Behari Choudhury, Engineer Parimal Kanti Choudhury, Professor Ranjit Kumar De, Ranjit Kumar Choudhury, Indunandan Datta, Engineer Subhash Chandra Barua, Dr. Dipankar Shrijnan Barua, Dr. Jinbodhi Barua, Architect Bidhan Barua, Professor Vijaylakshmi Devi, Mithun Barua, Tapas Hore and others. The leaders asked the administration to stop immediate police repression on the family members and innocent members of the Buddhist community.

Visit of Leaders of Sammilita Samajik Andolan

A team consisting of Mr. Pankaj Bhattacharya, Professor Hayat Mahmud, Mt. Biptadas Barua and Mr Choudhury Khurshed Alam of Samajik Andolan visited the village Hingla and the orphanage to collect first hand information on the killing of the Vikshu Jnanajyoti. They are convinced that police are not sincere or in capable of in rounding up the killers as they are under the protection of a top BNP leader Mr Shalahuddin Kader Choudhury, an advisor to the rank of a cabinet minister to the prime minister. He is an out and out communal person and was responsible of killing Natun Singha at the hands of the Pak military in 1971 operation, Founder of 'Kundeswari Home and Ousadhalay' at the hands of the Pak military in 1971 operation. Who knows not that F. K. Choudhury and his son S. K. Choudhury were known collaborators, who have forgotten that famous utterance of senior Choudhury that "during holy war we would have to bear raping of women by the fighting army ".

In fact the area is a sanctuary for the terrorists being nourished by this leader. The leaders further revealed that the terrorists of the locality wanted to use the orphanage and complex as a safe arsenal. But the Vikshu vehemently opposed it. On many occasions The Aziz Bahini approached the monk for subscription but the monk did not surrendered to their demand. Some time back the once again tried to extort a sum of Tk one lakh and threatened him of dire consequences including not only a threat of killing the monk but his entire complex to be blown out with the orphans included. This time Vikshu yielded to their pressure and it is learnt paid a sum Tk 50,000/-. All these are revealing horrifying stories. And our government knowing fully well is incapacitating to deal with their own terrorists. PM's war cry against terrorism then becomes a hollow rhetoric. I pity you, madam prime minister.