June 2003

I. June 3, 2003. Khulna district (in southern Bangladesh bordering the bay of Bengal): Sreemati Gayen was attacked by a group of Islamic fundamentalists. They demanded 100,000 Taka (approximately $1700) from her in the form of a Zizia Tax (extortion money primarily demanded by Islamic fundamentalists from non-Muslims). When she refused to pay the extortion money, the extremists, led by Nair Shekh and Motiar Shekh attacked Sreemati Gayen's home; seriously injuring four members of her family were seriously wounded. The gang also stole many valuable properties

II. June 4, 2003. Charhabish village, Charfashion sub-district: A group of Islamic extremists kdnapped the fifteen year old daughter of Sreedham Teli. Before this incident the fundamentalists kidnapped and raped Teli's two other daughters, Ranjita and Jyotsna, ages 22 and 19 respectively.

III. June 9, 2003. Batiaghata sub-district, Khulna district (in southern Bangladesh bordering the bay of Bengal): a group of Islamic zealots murdered two boys, who were members of the minority Hindu community. The boys’ names were Nikhil Kumar Mondal and Balaram Roy. A case was filed at the local court.

IV. June 10, 2003. Huthazari sub-district, Chittagong district: Jogendranath Mahajan, a campaigner for freedom of independence from the English, was murdered by a local group of armed Islamic fundamentalists.

V. June 12, 2003. Chittagong district: Mr. Ajit Talukder, a wealthy minority Hindu businessman was murdered by an armed group of Islamic extremists.

VI. June 13, 2003. Kaligunge sub-district, Satkhira district (in southern Bangladesh bordering the Indian state of West Bengal): Islamic fundamentalists occupied the properties belonging to the families of the local Hindu community. On that day the group threw bombs at the property in broad day light to scare the families away. Subsequnetly they occupied four acres of cultivated land. Mr. Swapan Kr. Mondal, the son of the owner Mr. Amrita Lal Mondal, was savagely beaten up by the group. Valuables estimated to be worth at least 200,000 Taka (approximately $3400) were stolen. So far, the local authorities have refused to entertain any complaints from the families.

VII. June 14, 2003. Dhaka district: a local group of Islamic fundamentalists stole a huge amount of money that was donated by the followers of the Kali Temple in the Sutrapur area.

VIII. June 15, 2003. Nagarkanda sub-district, Faridpur district (in close proximity to the capital city of Dhaka): a group of Islamic fundamentalists burned down the local Kali temple. A case has been filed against the group. Senior police officers have visited this area. However, the local Hindu community of this area has become terribly frightened.

IX. June 15, 2003. Narsingdi district (east of the capital city of Dhaka): a Hindu youth, Mr. Swapan Bhuniya above 20 years old was shot dead in front of Surabhi cinema by the Muslim fundamentalists.

X. June 17, 2003. Barguna district (in southern Bangladesh bordering the Bay of Bengal): The police have arrested two Islamic extremists on charges of demolishing two Hindu religious icons. The accused are Md. Ripon and Md. Mithu.

XI. June 22, 2003. Chittagong district: A group of armed Islamic fundamentalists attacked the Kaibalya-Dham, a very scared temple of minority Hindu community and looted valuables from property estimated to be worth more than 500,000 Taka (approximately $8500). A case has been filed at the local police station.

XII. June 24, 2003. Kishoregunge district (northwest of the capital city of Dhaka): Mr. Pradip Kumar Saha Roy, an assistant teacher of a local high school, was savagely beaten by a local mob of armed Islamic zealots. He has been hospitalized at Kotiyadi sub-distrct hospital.