Over 500 Hindu families fear renewed attacks

More than five hundred Hindu families in Harina village of Dheukhali Union under Sadarupur upazila in Faridpur are facing extreme insecurity. Following an attack a few days ago over a dispute concerning the temple land, panic has spread across the entire village, including Ghoshpara, Shahapara, Jelepara and Tantipara. Many residents are being forced to flee the village in fear of further assaults.

Meanwhile, locals have formed a human chain demanding the arrest of the attackers.

On Friday (22 November) morning, they held a human chain near the temple area in Harina village and complained that many people were being compelled to leave the village due to fear of renewed attacks.

According to local residents and case documents, before independence, Kedar Nath Ghosh established the Radha Gobinda Temple on his own land in Harina village. During the Liberation War, when Kedar Nath went to India, local Hindu residents continued worship at the temple.

After independence, claiming to be a relative of Kedar Nath, Joydev Ghosh allegedly prepared forged documents to claim ownership of the temple and 45 decimals of land. A case was filed over the matter. Recently, Joydev Ghosh secretly sold the temple land to one Bablu Bepari. To take possession of the land, Bablu Bepari, Joydev Ghosh and several hundred others began vandalising the temple at around 4:30 am on 16 November.

It is known that when the local Hindu residents tried to resist, they were attacked. Fifteen to twenty people were seriously injured. The attackers entered several homes and looted gold ornaments, cash and valuables worth around twelve lakh taka. A case was later filed at Sadarupur Police Station.

Victims allege that after the case was filed, Joydev Ghosh and Bablu Bepari became even more aggressive. They have been threatening people in various ways, shouting abuses at night outside homes and issuing death threats. As a result, over five hundred families are living in constant fear.

Local residents Nanda Ghosh, Sudeb Malo, Shikha Rani Malo and Swapna Ghosh said they had been worshipping at the Radha Gobinda Temple for many years. Recently, Joydev Ghosh prevented them from performing worship. When they protested, they were attacked. They claim that Joydev Ghosh pretended to be a descendant of Kedar Nath and attempted to seize the temple land through forged documents. After selling the land, he attacked them to hand over the property. This has been captured on CCTV footage.

Attempts to contact Joydev Ghosh regarding the temple land dispute and attack were unsuccessful as he is absconding. Another accused in the case, Bablu Bepari, refused to comment.

Sadarupur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sukdeb Roy said a case had been filed over temple vandalism, the attack and looting. Police are conducting operations to arrest the accused. Strict monitoring is in place to prevent any untoward incidents in Harina village.

Khaborwala/TSN