Robbery at Buddhist monastery in Chattogram, monk held at gunpoint

A robbery has taken place at a Buddhist monastery in Chandanaish upazila of Chattogram. A group of masked armed robbers entered the Bijoya Rambihara at South Hasimpur in the upazila around 4am on Saturday, September 12, held a monk at gunpoint and looted money and valuables.

The monastery's monk, Gyan Rakkhit, said he opened the door of his room around 4am to perform religious activities. At that time, several people suddenly entered his room with locally-made weapons including machetes and axes. They made him sit on the bed and said, "Sit quietly. If you speak, there will be trouble."

At one point, the robbers took the almirah key from him. They then opened the almirah and looted around Tk 30,000, a sound box and other valuables.

Gyan Rakkhit said the robbers closed the door of his room from outside before leaving. He later called two novice monks from the adjacent room to open the door.

Chandanaish Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Didarul Islam confirmed the incident. He said police visited the scene after receiving the news of the robbery at the monastery. The monastery authorities have been asked to file a written complaint. Legal action will be taken after identifying those involved once the complaint is received.