Sustain to victims of fanaticism-led violence

22-03-2022

Gianpaolo Mascaro

Bangladesh and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence

Research and Empowerment Organization (REO) and its partners Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) and Bangladesh Minority Rights Alliance (BMRA) carried out a concerted initiative to organize a Program at Ramnathpur, Karimpur, Rangpur with the intention to provide the families victims of fanatic violence with the aid necessary to tackle the difficult aftermath of the attack. The event was held on 17th March 2022.

Last year, during the Hindu festivities of the Durga Puja, a bunch of fanatics targeted a fishermen village in Ramnathpur, Pirganj, which hosted 68 families. More precisely, on 17th October a group of approximately 200-250 people brandishing sharp weapons rushed into the small village, looted and set on fire the houses of 30 families. Apparently, the attack was due to some Facebook posts shared by a fake ID insulting Islam and paving the way to a dangerous recrudescence of religious fanatism. 

The saddening statements of some of the victims highlighted the dreadful fear that the inhabitants of the village experienced that day. People were forced to flee and abandon their belongings in order to save their lives and now, since their houses and livestock are gone, it is an endless challenge for most of them to make ends meet. 

Against this backdrop, the Team provided the families with important economic sustain, delivering cash incentives and granting students with scholarships. Furthermore, the local leaders who attended the event shed light on the need for the correct functioning of justice, demanding for the punishment of those responsible for such a heinous crime.