(Slide 3) Gaibandha Trip
After 5th January election violence, I travelled to Bangladesh to see people directly
affected by the troubles and provide some financial aid to several villages in the
affected district of Gaibandha, and also to show that we in the UK are there to
provide support to their plight and suffering.
Villagers knew their attackers. Villagers are very afraid of all political activists even
though the elections had ended.
Villagers are frustrated with lack of support from Government to bring the
attackers to justice, despite providing names.
(Slide 4) Meeting with Village Elders on 7th February
The Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council gave me a compiled
list of the victims of the recent violence and with help from Bangladesh Ekattorer
Ghatak Dalai Nirmul Committee, on 7th February I travelled from Dhaka by car for
10hrs to reach the Northern District of Gaibandha.
This is where I was first introduced to Mrs Shurobala Roy in the village of
Shundargonj in Gaibandha District.
Mrs Shurobala Roy with her husband Mr Kuka Roy and their two children had
returned home after casting their vote on 5th January election. The political
activists followed them and came into their home and when Mr Roy tried to protect
his family, the intruders set upon him, kicking him non-stop.
Mr Roy was taken to hospital, but died after two days of suffering.