It has been ten years since a marauding mob launched attacks on Buddhist villages in Ramu, Ukhiya, and Teknaf areas of Cox's Bazar under the pretext of defamation of Islam.
The shocking incident was carried out apparently as retaliation to the sectarian violence and persecution of the Rohingyas by Arakan Buddhists, which reached its peak in late 2012.
The attackers paraded the streets chanting provocative slogans. Then they vandalized and looted at least 30 houses and 13 monasteries before setting those on fire on the night of September 29. The brutality of the attacks on Lord Buddha's idols depicted the hatred the masterminds instilled in the minds of the mob.
In the run-up to the attacks, the plotters held secret meetings. They mobilized the local Muslims by showing them a screenshot of a fake Facebook account containing a photo that defames the Holy Quran to frame a local Buddhist youth named Uttam Barua.
Nobody knows his whereabouts. Uttam disappeared along with his wife Rita Barua and son Adhitra. They could not be traced as of yet.
Uttam’s elderly parents did not flee. Sudatta Barua and Madhu Barua said that they were spending days in dire straits due to the loss of their only son. They have not had any contact with the son so far.
“I’ve known through various means that Uttam is alive,” Sudatta told Dhaka Tribune. The mother demanded that the government bring back her son, who had fled the village ten years ago despite being innocent.
Witnesses reluctant to testify in court
Police took stern measures after the situation calmed. They filed 18 cases naming 375 persons and around 15,000 unnamed others, and arrested some of the accused. On the other hand, the Buddhists filed a case but later withdrew it based on an understanding.
Later, the police submitted charge sheets in the cases accusing more than 1,000 people. But the trials got stuck due to the unavailability of prosecution witnesses. Buddhist leaders now say they want coexistence without any enmity for the sake of peace.
Buddhist community leader Vipul Barua said that the people had forgotten the past after such a long gap. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rebuilt our monasteries and houses which were burnt down. We’re at peace now. We don’t expect anything more,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
President of Cox's Bazar District Buddhist Surokkha Parishad and Resident Monk of Ramu Kendriya Seema Vihar Pragyananda Bhiksu said the post-attack crisis had eased remarkably.“
Now it is crucial to maintain consistency. It is also important to identify the real criminals and ensure that no innocent person is harassed,” he added.
Another community leader Ketan Barua could identify many of the attackers. “They were holding processions and meetings since afternoon. But in the legal process, many of the attackers were left out and some innocent people were harassed. We don’t want this. We want peace now,” he said.
Public Prosecutor of the Cox's Bazar District Sessions and Judges Court Faridul Alam told Dhaka Tribune that the witnesses did not agree to come to the court and testify. “As a result, there is uncertainty about the cases. Even the leaders of the Buddhist community are not interested in testifying or appearing in court.”
