Title: Hundreds of minority people flee Agailjhara in Barisal
Author: Morshed Ali Khan
Publication: Daily Star News
Date: Oct 13, 2001
URL: http://www.dailystarnews.com/200110/13/n1101301.htm#BODY8

Students belonging to religious minorities began fast-until-death at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city yesterday demanding an end to repression on the minority community across the country. 

Hundreds of members of the minority community including local public representatives in the neighbouring Agailjhara upazila of Barisal fled their homes more than a week ago and took shelter in villages in Kotalipara upazila.

These men, women and children are now passing their days in a state of uncertainty, away from their homes and with relatives and friends in Ramshil union. Local people have come forward to help them generously. In almost every house in Ramshil, these displaced persons have been given shelter. They left their houses to escape the wrath of hoodlums under the banner of BNP.

Gopalganj district administration has deployed armed policemen in Ramshil to prevent possible attacks by those elements. Police officials on spot duty said the district administration has been embarrassed by the 'influx of refugees.' Additional police force would be deployed at the troubled spots and the 'refugees' would be encouraged to return to their houses, officials said.

In Ramshil, many of the displaced men and women narrated to this correspondent how the goons created a reign of terror for the minority community in the early hours of October 2.

Shefali Sarkar, Union Parishad Member of Raziar, said she and her family were attacked as soon as the election results became clear.

"The hoodlums took out violent processions around our houses, shouted slogans, threw stones and struck on our doors with sharp weapons while we remained inside, terrified," Shefali said.

"Before sunrise, I along with six members of my family escaped in a small boat and came here," she said.

Other displaced persons, who arrived in Ramshil in the last three days, said the gang members have now started realising toll from the members of Hindu community.

Subash Chandra Gain, an official of BNKG Girls High School and College at Agailjhara said the attackers also targeted Awami League activists, regardless of their religion.

"They came to all the houses belonging to our com munity and asked for huge amounts of money to allow us to stay home" Gain said.

Ramesh Chandra Das, an AL leader and UP Chairman of Raziar, said he had gone into hiding on October 2 as BNP supporters attacked his house. He was staying with a friend till October 6 and then his friend asked him to leave and save his life.

"At around 3:30 in the morning, I managed a rickshaw and started for Ramshil," Das said. But on his way, he was stopped by some hoodlums at Kodaldoha and badly assaulted. Some 'elderly' locals then rescued him from the grip of those 'political activists.'

"I do not know what to do now, we are living in total uncertainty," he said.

Many of the 'refugees' said if such atrocities continue, they would have no option but to leave the country.

Ananda Chandra Chakma, a teacher at Torky Bandar Secondary School, said if the government fails to ensure security of the minority, he would leave the country.

The number of displaced persons taking shelter in Kotalipara is unofficially estimated to be about 5,000. The authorities however said their number is about 500.

Meanwhile, students from the Hindu community have kept off their schools and colleges throughout the district, fearing attacks, teachers and other sources said.