Unidentified miscreants have tortured two elderly Baul fans at Damurhuda in Chuadanga, torched their houses and also threatened them to leave the area.The incident took place only two weeks after three elderly Baul followers including two women were hacked at Jibannagar of Chuadanga. Earlier, a Baul festival organiser Zakaria Hossain Zakir was killed in the district on December 10 last year.The latest attack took place at the house of Julmot Ali Shah at Gobindapur village on Friday midnight.Julmot said: “Eight to ten people armed with sharp weapons and hand bombs attacked the house when we were sleeping.“They first snapped the electricity connection; then tied me, my wife Momena Khatun and my friend Harendranath to two trees and tortured us severely. They also cut off out topknots."
The tortured baul followers holding the topknots. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
While leaving the place, the attackers torched two houses pouring petrol. “They told us to leave the area within 10 days or they will slaughter us and bomb the house,” Julmot told the Dhaka Tribune.Eight-year-old Rakib, who fled the house during the attack, later freed them and called the locals.Chuadanga Superintendent of Police Md Rashidul Hasan visited the place yesterday noon and directed the officials concerned to arrest the culprits.A case was filed with Damurhuda police.Attack on Baul fans – people who follow the mystic songs of Fakir Lalon Shah – is a common phenomenon in the country.Earlier, a prominent Baul fan from Kushtia, Sanwar Hossain, was hacked to death in a militant attack on May 20. His friend, Islami University teacher Saifuzzaman, was critically injured in the attack. Police blamed banned outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh for the attack.
Chuadanga police superintendent visits the site. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
On November 15, 2014, militants linked to al-Qaeda affiliate Ansarullah Bangla Team killed Baul follower Prof AKM Shafiul Islam, a teacher of Rajshahi University's sociology department near his house in Chouddopai area of Rajshahi.On November 21, 2011, the house of Rakhal Shah at Damurhuda came under attack allegedly by the members of JMB. 
The tortured baul followers holding the topknots. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
While leaving the place, the attackers torched two houses pouring petrol. “They told us to leave the area within 10 days or they will slaughter us and bomb the house,” Julmot told the Dhaka Tribune.Eight-year-old Rakib, who fled the house during the attack, later freed them and called the locals.Chuadanga Superintendent of Police Md Rashidul Hasan visited the place yesterday noon and directed the officials concerned to arrest the culprits.A case was filed with Damurhuda police.Attack on Baul fans – people who follow the mystic songs of Fakir Lalon Shah – is a common phenomenon in the country.Earlier, a prominent Baul fan from Kushtia, Sanwar Hossain, was hacked to death in a militant attack on May 20. His friend, Islami University teacher Saifuzzaman, was critically injured in the attack. Police blamed banned outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh for the attack.
Chuadanga police superintendent visits the site. Photo: Mehedi HasanOn November 15, 2014, militants linked to al-Qaeda affiliate Ansarullah Bangla Team killed Baul follower Prof AKM Shafiul Islam, a teacher of Rajshahi University's sociology department near his house in Chouddopai area of Rajshahi.On November 21, 2011, the house of Rakhal Shah at Damurhuda came under attack allegedly by the members of JMB.