12 years of Ramu attack: Trial stuck in limbo

It has been 12 years since the attack on Buddhist monasteries and communities in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar took place, but the trial is still nowhere near a conclusion.

Locals said the case was not making any progress as witnesses were reluctant to testify in court.

On September 29, 2012, a Buddhist youth named Uttam Barua was allegedly found tagged in a picture that insulted the Prophet (pbuh) and the Quran.

Miscreants attacked, looted, and set fire to 12 Buddhist monasteries, shrines, and 30 homes of the Buddist community in Ramu upazila on the same day.

Later, on the night of September 30, seven more Buddhist monasteries and 11 houses were torched in Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas.

After visiting Ramu Seema Vihar Buddhist temple on Saturday (September 28), it was found that the situation is normal. Security has been beefed up. The surrounding environment remains calm. Devoted people get engaged in worship. Buddhists said they live in harmony with people of all religions. However, the fear of attack is not completely over.

As many as 19 cases against some 1,500 unidentified persons and 378 named individuals were filed. However, only one case, in which a Buddhist was a plaintiff, was disposed of, said Public Prosecutor Faridul Alam of the local District and Sessions Judges Court.

Later, the police submitted chargesheets against 1,020 accused in 18 cases in court, he added.

Despite 12 years having elapsed since the incident, the local Buddhist community still holds out hope for justice, believing that it will keep amity among the various religious communities intact.