Catholics in Bangladesh demand justice in Magistrte’s murder case
Feb.05,2014: In Bangladesh, hundreds of Catholics, including four priests, demonstrated
on Tuesday calling for an impartial investigation into the murder of Ovidio Marandy,
a member of the Santal tribe who was killed on 11 January. They also asked for a
proper trial for those responsible for his death. Organised by the Adibashi (Tribal)
Cultural Academy, the protest was held in Ghoraghat, Dinajpur District. The 32-year-old
man was a Catholic magistrate, the younger brother of Fr Samson Marandy, a priest
from the diocese of Dinajpur. "We want a real investigation into what happened to
my brother," the clergyman said. At the end of the rally, participants handed a memorandum
to the local government office, calling on the authorities to ensure that the victim
will receive justice. Too many obscure points still cloud Ovidio's death. According
to people close to him, he was murdered in a revenge attack by Islamic fundamentalists.
On 11 January, he was riding his motorbike from Gobindoganj to Gaibanda, in northern
Bangladesh. He was later found dead on the side of the road. On 5 January, when
the country went to the poll to elect a new government, Islamists attacked and burnt
several homes in Beneedwar Parish. On that occasion, the dead man reported the incident
to police and led law enforcement agents to the site of the event. With other members
of the community, he also protested against the attack. Source: AsiaNews