Panic grips Panchagarh Ahmadiyya villages

He spent his entire life savings to build a house for his family, and then he had to watch that house go up in flames in a matter of minutes.

It's all because he belongs to the Ahmadiyya community.

Around 11:00am yesterday, 80-year-old Shahid Ahmed was seen sitting speechless in front of his fire-ravaged home.

He was one of the many from his community that came under attack by supporters of some Islamist outfits in Panchagarh Sadar on Friday.

A resident of Ahmednagar village, Shahid said, "My family and I were at the Jalsa Salana venue after Jum'a prayers when we suddenly heard that our house was torched. We rushed there and found our home set ablaze."

Akhi, Shahid's daughter, said, "We were lucky that we were not in the house at that time. I think the attackers would have killed us if we were."

Veteran freedom fighter Mohammad Ali's house too wasn't spared.

"We fought for the country in 1971. And this is how we are being rewarded at the end stage of our lives…

"I was alone in the house as the others went to the Jalsa in the afternoon. A group of people suddenly attacked our house with sticks, iron rods and machetes. While I ran to safety, my house, including the furniture and everything else inside, was burnt to ashes."

His neighbour Md Hanif, also a freedom fighter, said, "The attackers first looted valuables and then torched my house."

Tanzila Akter, 32, another victim, said, "We used to earn living by running a small grocery shop. But the attackers torched that too. We don't know how we will survive now."

During a visit to the area yesterday, this correspondent spoke to at least two dozen victims and all of them had similar things to say.

Newly planted 440 trees at a mango orchard, owned by Bashirur Rahman of Dangapara village, were cut down. His poultry farm was also torched and two cows were stolen.

Since the attack, members of the Ahmadiyya community in three villages – Ahmednagar, Phultala and Shalsheri – are living in fear.

"We want security and compensations from the administration so that we can survive," said Jahangir Alam, 45, a resident of Ahmednagar.

Meanwhile, leaders of the community held a press conference in Panchagarh's Ahmednagar, claiming the attack could have been avoided if the law enforcers had taken effective measures. They demanded punishment to the attackers.

One person was killed by the attackers, while some 150 houses were looted and vandalised before being torched.

At the press conference, Ahmad Tabshir Chowdhury, convener of the Jalsa Salana, a three-day event organised by the Ahmadiyyas at Ahmednagar in Panchagarh Sadar every year, said one Jahid Hasan was stabbed to death.

Jahid was tasked with maintaining discipline on the premises. When the western side of the Jalsa venue was attacked, he and several others were standing near the boundary wall to resist.

At one stage, the attackers caught him and beat him mercilessly.

"Once he was unconscious, they took him to the banks of Karatoa river, a few 100 yards away from the Jalsa premises, and stabbed him in the head and neck, resulting in his death," Tabshir said.

SM Sirajul Huda, superintendent of police in Panchagarh, claimed the violence took place despite the law enforcers' precautionary measures.

"We are investigating the matter thoroughly and will take legal action accordingly."

Different rights bodies, including Ain O Salish Kendra, Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad, in separate statements yesterday, condemned the attack and demanded punishment to the attackers.

Earlier on Friday, two people were killed and at least 30 others, including seven policemen, in a clash between law enforcers and supporters of the Islamist organisations, who were demonstrating against Ahmadiyya community.

The agitators set fire to several houses and four shops belonging to the members of the community. They also attacked a local police station, vehicles of law enforcers and a traffic police office.

Leaders and activists of several Islamist organisations, including the Islamic Andolon Bangladesh, were staging demonstrations since Thursday demanding cancellation of the Jalsa.

Due to the violence, the programme had to be postponed.

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Around 8:00pm yesterday, some people were spreading rumours of an "Ahmadiyya man killing a Muslim" in Ahmednagar all throughout Panchagarh town.

Within half an hour, a procession, with several hundred supporters of different Islamist organisations, was brought out. Roads in Dhakkamara area, the entrance to the town, and truck terminal areas were blocked off.

Protesters vandalised and looted a footwear showroom, citing it was owned by an Ahmadiyya man.

They also set a vehicle ablaze.

Police later went to the spot to remove the blockade.

Meanwhile, the district administration was urging people through loud speakers to stay alert to possibility of violence by the people spreading rumours and urged all to remain at home for the time being.