Bangladesh: Hindu leader tied to tree & beaten over Iftar invitation row in Chittagong

Nearly six months after a massive controversy erupted following several incidents of attacks on Durga Puja pandals, a prominent Hindu leer was brutally tortured during Iftar party recently.

According to a report by UNI, incident occurred in Banglesh's South Chittagong on Friday, April 29, over an invitation to an Iftar party. report said that Jitendra Kanti Guha, vice-president of Chittagong South of Banglesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parish, was reportedly tied to a tree and n beaten at Haidgaon Union in Patia Upazila of Chattogram.

stalwart leer was n shifted to a nearby hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment. As per media report, incident occurred when an iftar party was going on at Gauchia Community Centre. event was organised by Haidgaon Union Awami League.

It is learned that organiser did t invite Union Parish (UP) chairman BM Jasim, which resulted in controversy. While reacting to incident, Shahidul Islam Zulu, joint convener of Haidgaon Union Awami League (UAL), told UNI that Jasim was t invited to 'mehfil' as he h recently joined ruling Awami League.

Jasim alleged Guha of collecting huge money from people in name of jobs, houses 

According to Zulu, Jasim came to venue with at least 40 people and started abusing different people who were present at party. He also abused Mahmudul Haque Hafez, convener of Union Awami League. While a heated argument was going on, a former member, Inderjit Leo, started beating Guha. Subsequently, or people who came with Jasim tied Guha to a tree and beat him until blood drew from his body.

Meanwhile, when quizzed about reason for his unlawful action against Hindu leer, Jasim said Guha h collected a huge sum of money from a number of people.

According to Jasim, Guha h collected money in order to provide m jobs, houses, and tube wells when he was President. "When y did t get anything out of ir money, y came to beat Guha," he said. "I was able to save Jiten by being present at scene. situation would have been worse h it t been for me," Jasim told UNI and refuted any charges of harassing Hindu leer.

Irrespective of his claim, Patia Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Investigation Md. Rashedul Islam told media outlet that incident was true and ded a case has t been registered yet.

Im: Shutterstock/Representational