‘We want a permanent solution and to live in peace with all communities. The government must help us’: This is the urgent call launched through AsiaNews by Msgr. Sebastian Tudu, bishop of the diocese of Dinajpur, after a series of clashes between Catholics and Muslims in the village of Chirakhota over issues related to land. Tensions peaked on 24 January, when more than 300 Muslims attacked the Catholic community, made up of tribal Santal.
The disputed plots are owned by the Catholic community, which has held regular permits since 1971. At the time, the height of the war of liberation from Pakistan, a Hindu woman sold them the land. Recently, a Muslim attempted to expropriate the plot, but the court ruled in favor of the Santal.
On January 24, over 300 members of the Islamic community descended upon the village. The Catholics defended themselves with bows and arrows, their traditional weapons, and a Muslim was killed. The sparked the Muslims anger and a mob looted rice, food, clothes, money, more than 100 cows, and set fire to all the 60 houses of the settlement.
