11/12/2020 Bangladesh (International Christian Concern) – According to the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN), a predominately Christian village in northern Bangladesh was attacked by a mob over a land dispute. As a result of the attack, one person was injured and a chapel and several homes were ransacked.
On November 9, a mob of 50 to 60 armed men attacked Ichhachhara village, located in the Moulvibazar district. The attack took place hours after a Muslim man was evicted from the predominately Christian village.
According to local church leadership, the Muslim man, Rafiq Ali, had recently lost a legal battle over the ownership of land in the village. The mob, led by Ali, attacked a grocery shop, homes, and a chapel in the village.
“The attackers also pelted bricks and stones at village houses,” Father Joseph Gomes told UCAN. “One villager was hurt. We demand justice for the attack and the end of abuses against ethnic people.”
According to UCAN, Ichhachhara is predominately made up of ethnic Khasi Christians. Ali had illegally occupied land owned by a local Christian and was evicted after a court decided he had “grabbed” the land using fake documents.
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