FABC News

Foreign minister Dipu Moni on Thursday said it was clear from preliminary evidence that the attacks on the Buddhist places of worship and homesteads were carried in a planned manner in Ramu on September 29.  Briefing members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the UN and other international organisations at the foreign ministry on the Ramu violence, she said certain vested groups and individuals were instrumental in the riots.

‘Their motive was to disrupt communal harmony in the region, destabilise the very sensitive areas bordering Myanmar, tarnish the country’s image and credentials as a secular, pluralistic and democratic polity, she said. Dipu referred to the home minister’s observation of possible involvement of extremist groups from outside Ramu with alleged foreign links and his instructions to take immediate action against the attackers and prevent any further acts of arson and violence.
She said the CID forensic experts had confirmed the use of explosives and kerosene for arson during the violence, which bore proof of a premeditated, carefully orchestrated and organised attack.

‘We are expecting a full investigation report in a few days from the ministry of home affairs,’ she said.Dipu Moni said the prime minister during her visit to Ramu on October 8 had sounded a clear warning that whoever had been involved in the heinous attacks would be brought to justice.

The prime minister distributed humanitarian relief among the affected people, including Tk. 24.8 million in cash and building materials for rebuilding homes. As a show of respect, she dedicated ‘Chibar’, sacred robes, to the Buddhist monks of the damaged monasteries she had visited. According to assessments done by government relief agencies, the foreign minister said 11 monasteries were entirely, and seven others partially, damaged in Ramu, while about 27 Buddhist Barua households were damaged completely and some 50 partially in the arson attacks. A four-member inquiry committee, headed by the additional divisional commissioner (revenue) of Chittagong, was formed immediately after the incident and it was to submit its report in 10 days.

The government has so far distributed in compensation, a total of Tk. 36.4 million for rebuilding houses in the Barua neighbourhoods. The government has also distributed other relief supplies among the affected families, including also for restoration of monasteries. The assistance includes Tk 8.8 million given by the minister for disaster management and relief.

Dipu said the government remained committed to rebuilding and restoring the Buddhist places of worship burnt down by the rioters. ‘We cannot, of course, overcome the irreparable damage done to some Buddhist relics and religious icons which form part of our shared cultural heritage. This is indeed a national loss that cannot be assigned monetary value,’ she said.

The foreign minister, however, expressed concern over reports of protest rallies being organised in front of some Bangladesh missions abroad where the chancery buildings and premises had come under mob attacks. She requested the host governments concerned to ensure adequate protection for Bangladesh diplomatic missions in the face of any such provocation or attacks. Dipu said the situation on the ground in Ramu and its surroundings were being closely monitored by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

She requested the diplomats to exercise restraints in their movements in these areas. The foreign minister also requested them to keep the foreign office informed of movements of all diplomatic and UN or other international agencies near Cox’s Bazar so that appropriate security could be arranged.