A civil society delegation visited the Sultanpur municipality area in Raozan, Chattogram, on 1 February 2026 to inspect the homes of religious minorities targeted in recent arson attacks.
Led by Professor Robaet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, the team met with victims and local representatives to assess the situation ahead of the national election scheduled for 12 February.
The delegation included Chief Executive of Nagorik Uddyog Zakir Hossain, poet and journalist Hafiz Rashid Khan, human rights activist Dipayan Khisa, International Affairs Secretary of the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum Satej Chakma, staff lawyer at BLAST (Chattogram Unit) Tasnia Al Sultana, Information Investigation Officer at Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Tawheed Ahmed Rana, and General Secretary of the Chittagong University Hill Students’ Council (PCP) Priya Jyoti Chakma Ribek.
Local leaders, including Sadip De (Sajib) and Dipto Chowdhury, president and general secretary of the Raozan Pourashava Puja Udjapan Parishad, were also present.
Speaking to journalists at the burnt premises of victim Aarti Shil, Professor Ferdous stated that the attacks appeared to be a calculated attempt to instil panic among minorities before the polls.
He emphasised that while political discussions often focus on a “level playing field” for candidates, the same standard must be ensured for voters so they can exercise their franchise without fear.
Professor Ferdous urged the government to produce a damage assessment report, provide compensation, and guarantee the security of the affected communities.
Zakir Hossain noted the critical nature of the 11 days remaining before the 12 February election. He criticised the lack of government initiative thus far and called on the administration to immediately list the victims for rehabilitation.
He further stressed that the actual perpetrators must be brought to justice through the legal cases already filed.
Providing a legal update, Tasnia Al Sultana highlighted that victims are living in constant fear of further attacks. She pointed out significant delays in case GR261/25, where the police report, originally due on 25 January 2026, has been deferred to 7 April 2026.
She warned that such procedural delays hinder the delivery of justice and legal protection for the victims.
One victim, Mithun Shil, recounted a harrowing experience where attackers locked his house from the outside before setting it on fire while nine family members, including elderly parents and children, were inside.
They narrowly escaped by cutting through a fence with a machete. Shil ended up losing his passport and Qatar work permit documentation and lamented that, despite promises from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), no administrative aid has been received.
Local residents informed the delegation that at least nine houses in Sultanpur have been torched since the election schedule was announced.
In several instances, banners featuring the names of local NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were found at the scenes. While the frequency of attacks has decreased following the finalisation of nominations, villagers continue to patrol the area at night to ensure their own safety.
