The Daroga Bazar Crematorium and Durga Temple Management Committee in Ukhia has announced that the Hindu community will boycott the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations unless legal action is taken against those involved in vandalizing the crematorium's boundary wall and the wall is reconstructed. They have set an ultimatum of October 8 for these demands to be met.
This announcement was made during a press conference held at the Ukhia Press Club on Sunday (October 4). According to the written statement, if the demands are not fulfilled, a human chain and protest rally will be staged at Ukhia Station on October 10.
The organizers stated that the Daroga Bazar Central Mahashmashan has been used for the cremation of members of the Hindu community for over two hundred years. They claimed that the crematorium land is recorded under RS and BS Khatian No. 1 as government khas land in the name of the crematorium.
They alleged that on the night of September 15, more than 15 feet of the boundary wall on the southern side of the crematorium was demolished, causing damages worth approximately BDT 1.5 lakh. They claimed the wall was destroyed with the intention of forcefully grabbing the crematorium land.
According to the organization, the officer-in-charge of Ukhia Police Station visited the site on September 16, followed by the upazila executive officer on September 17. Written complaints were subsequently submitted to both the police station and the UNO's office. Based on local accounts, Sahab Uddin (65), Moslem Uddin (55), Tunu (52), Tarequl Islam Rifat (25), and Zahedur Rahman (22), along with 4–5 unidentified individuals, were accused of involvement.
Expressing deep frustration over the lack of visible legal action, the organizers questioned the role of Ukhia Police Station OC Md. Atiqur Rahman, alleging that the situation has created a sense of insecurity among the Hindu community. They also accused individuals of spreading misleading propaganda, defamation, and threats on social media.
During the press conference, it was announced that a memorandum would be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar through the Upazila Executive Officer of Ukhia on October 5. If the wall is not rebuilt and legal actions are not taken by October 8, the community will abstain from celebrating Durga Puja and stage a human chain and protest rally on October 10.
The organizers emphasized that they do not want conflict and wish to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully if the administration and political leaders intervene to ensure the reconstruction of the wall and proper legal steps. They sought cooperation from the administration, public representatives, and political parties to this end.
The press conference was attended by the organization's adviser Master Mukunda Prasad Rudra, president Mridul Aich, general secretary and journalist Ratan Kanti Dey, executive member Advocate Rabindra Das Rabi, Dipak Mallick, Kajol Kumar Sen, vice-president Ratan Dewanji, head priest Haradhan Chakraborty, Sadar Daroga Bazar Puja Udjapan Parishad president Utpal Biswas, general secretary Kajol Biswas, Badal Kar, and Master Sanjay Dey Shubho.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Cox's Bazar Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
