Christians Under Attack

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - An armed gang has killed one tribal Christian student and injured a friend, to steal a phone and a tally of less than one euro. The two young men were on their way home from festivities for the 100th anniversary of St Joseph's Catholic Church, located in the district of Netrokona - Dhaka Division - about 173 km from the capital. The police confirmed the identification and arrest of all members of the group involved in the murder.  

The incident occurred on 15 February in Mohammadupur, division of Dhaka. Rema Amit, 26, a student of the Institute of Science and Technology at Dhanmondi in the company of his friend Sohag, had just got off the bus, returning from the festivities for the Jubilee of St. Joseph Church. On the wayhome, in East Raja Bazar (Dhaka), the two friends were attacked by a group armed with knives and pistols, who ordered them to hand over money and valuables.  

At the young men’s refusal, the assailants struck them with a large knife and then stole their money which amounted to a total of 70 taka (about 70 euro cents) and their mobile phones. Sohag, the survivor, said that "the group followed us, in a private car" and attacked them "near Amit’s home."

A police patrol on the spot immediately intervened arresting one of the assailants, Sujan (aka Monir) 24, who was in possession of a large knife. A few hours later the agents stopped the three other members of the gang, Habib, 24, Ershad alias Munna, 26, and Monirul, 25, seizing a pistol and ammunition.