Dinajpur: dozens of extremists raid seminary, attacking rector and some students
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - A mob of dozens has raided a seminary of the diocese of Dinajpur, northern Bangladesh, injuring the rector and a group of students inside the building at the time of the attack. The raid took place at 3 pm yesterday: about 60 local fanatics broke down the doors of the Jisu Niloy seminary, pouring inside the compound. The group targeted the rector Fr. Uzzal, surprised in his room while he was resting; the assailants knocked down his door and violently beat him and some students present at the time of the attack.
During the assault, the fanatics blocked the young students of the seminary and
beat them with violence and brutality. The Jisu Niloy seminary is located
Bolakipur and refers to Marimpur parish in the Diocese of Dinajpur.
Previously, the same mob had raided the nearby tribal village - Catholic
majority - of Tivipara and Bagja. The assault occurred at 1 .30 pm, they
plundered the inhabitants of 40 cows, 50 goats, a van, fruit and many other
objects and utensils. Before leaving, the assailants threatened to come back
the next night and burn the residents homes.
Most of the men fled the area for fear of new attacks, the women and children,
however, have found refuge in the Catholic mission, where there are more
security guarantees. The Catholics of the area belong to the tribal Santals,
Urao, Mundas, Kharias and Malos.
Over the past few days there have been a wave of assaults and targeted violence
against the Christian community in Bangladesh, a largely Muslim nation: June 5
it was the turn of the parish of Tumilia, which was attacked by extremists. The
parish priest Fr. Abel was beaten and robbed, along with another priest.
(Nirmala Carvalho contributed)
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