Bangladesh seminary attacked

07 June, 2013 - A Catholic seminary in northern Bangladesh’s Dinajpur Diocese came under attack on Thursday, with the rector and seminarians being beaten up, AsiaNews agency reported A mob of some 60 extremists raided the Jisu Niloy seminary in Marimpur parish , Dinajpur Diocese, in the evening, targeting the rector, Fr. Uzzal, who was resting in his room. They knocked down his door and violently beat him. The fanatics blocked the young students of the seminary and beat them brutally. Previously, the same mob had raided the predominantly Catholic tribal villages of Tivipara and Bagja nearby. They plundered the villagers of 40 cows, 50 goats, a van, fruit and many other objects and utensils. The assailants threatened to come back the next night and burn the homes. Most of the men fled the area for fear of new attacks, the women and children, however, have found refuge in the Catholic mission, where there are more security guarantees. The Catholics of the area belong to the tribal Santals, Urao, Mundas, Kharias and Malos. Over the past few days there have been a wave of assaults and targeted violence against the Christian community in Bangladesh, a largely Muslim nation: June 5 it was the turn of the parish of Tumilia, which was attacked by extremists. The parish priest Fr. Abel was beaten and robbed, along with another priest. (Source: AsiaNews)