Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Bangladeshi Hindus -Update

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=69190

They have not forgotten the night before the eighth parliamentary election in 2001 which brought them some horrible experiences. The musclemen of former BNP lawmaker Shahjahan Omar, a graft accused, swooped on them with lethal weapons, trained guns on the men, assaulted the women and guarded their houses so that they couldn't go to poll centres.

The Hindus said those who dared to start for the polling centres were blocked on the way and beaten up irrespective of gender.

Anil, who made it to the polling centre, was stripped off his clothes in a public gathering during a victory meeting of BNP the next day, they added.

Shahjahan was so cruel to the community that even the poor among them had to pay his musclemen toll during wedding of their daughters to save them from being snatched from the bridal stage.

Most of those musclemen prevail. And some of those whisper to the ears of the helpless Hindus that it's not certain who would come to power and the army won't save them throughout the year.

"We will know who of you have voted for Boat and who for Sheaf of Paddy," said a whisper in the ears of the Hindu community.

When approached, none of the Hindus, however, dared to talk about the issue yesterday evening despite repeated attempts.

Finally, a BNP activist, who is also a victim of Shahjahan Omar's gang, after seeing the ID card helped this correspondent win the trust of a Hindu family.

"We cannot say whether we can vote as everything changes at the night before polls," said a middle-aged member of the family.

"We can say it for sure after the night tomorrow and once we safely reach the polling centre," added the mid-aged farmer. He stressed the necessity of special security on their way to and from the polling booths.

Requesting not to publish his name he continued, "If my name is mentioned, that might cost either my life or my honour or both."

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