12 years of Ramu attack: All 18 cases stuck in endless loop

It’s been 12 years since the attack on Buddhist monasteries and communities in Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar took place, but the trial is still nowhere near a conclusion. On the night of September 29, 2012, 12 temples and more than 30 houses in Ramu, Ukhia and Teknaf were attacked, set on fire and looted by miscreants as following rumors spreading on Facebook.

The Buddhist monasteries are yet to get any justice even though the scars of the horrific attack have been erased. Ramu Sima Bihar principal Shatyyapriyo Mohather with a regret in his voice told View Bangladesh that the scars of the horrific act will never be erased from the mind. God will surely determine its karma.’

Regarding the incident eyewitness Mithun Barua said that the people of Ramu- Chowmuhani started gathering after nine o’clock on 29 September, 2012 night. But before I could understand the reason for this gathering, the people of Sima Bihar area heard about setting fire and vandalizing the nearby Lalchin and Sadachin temples. Between 11 pm to 11:30 pm, attacks were carried out on other temples including the Central Sima Bihar.

Shatyyapriyo Mohather said, “People of all groups were involved in the attack on the temple and homestead that day”.

Initially 19 cases were filed in Ukhia, Teknaf and Ramu Police Stations in connection with assault-vandalism-arson-robbery. But the plaintiff withdrew a case in 2015. Out of the remaining 18 cases, three cases have been sent to PBI for re-investigation. After investigating the remaining cases, trial did start, but it hasn’t been completed yet even after 12 years.

However, only one case, in which a Buddhist was a plaintiff, was disposed of, said Public Prosecutor Faridul Alam of the local District and Sessions Judges Court.

Shatyyapriyo Mohather said that the government was the plaintiff in almost all the cases. None of the Buddhists came forward out of fear and many did not testify out of fear.

Public Prosecutor of Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court Sayed Rezaur Rahman told View Bangladesh, “There are about 900 accused and 160 witnesses in 18 cases which are under trial in various courts. We have no lack of sincerity in the speedy settlement of these cases.

“I think that the investigating officers have gone beyond the influence of political parties and given a report to the court after the investigation with prudence and professionalism. “We are also trying to ensure justice through evidence and testimony,” he added.

Sayed Rezaur Rahman further said that testimony is going on in some cases. But due to absence of various witnesses, the proceedings have somewhat halted. Witnesses have been summoned many times. But they are reluctant to testify. He also said that if the witnesses come to the court, police security will be provided if necessary.

 ‘It seems that many witnesses are reluctant to testify in fear on violence or conflict. However, we want justice to be ensured in the quick settlement of the cases.

However, eyewitness Mithun Barua said, immediately after the incident, statements of the witnesses and later the testimony given in the court was revealed by a group in the area. The witnesses refused to testify because their own people threatened them. He also alleged that threats are still being made.

Local journalist Qayyum Uddin told Views Bangladesh, “Fair trial of the incident is also necessary to erase the scars that are injected in the minds of the Buddhist community”.