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Chandon murder sparks protests in Khagrachhari

2 June 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

Locals form a human chain in Khagrachhari town on Monday demanding punishment to the killers of Chandon Chowdhury. A similar programme was also held yesterday. The Hindu youth, tortured at a local hotel, died at hospital on Thursday. (Inset) Slain Chandon's wife Jemy, holding her 18-month-old child Monika, in tears.Photo: STAR

Brutally tortured by a few youths in a hotel at Khagrachhari Bazar on Thursday night, a young man died on the way to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) early Friday. The murder sparked protests in the hill town and created a sense of insecurity among the Hindus. The criminals left the victim, Chandon Chowdhury, 27, on a cart at nearby vegetable market, thinking him dead. Informed by a night guard, police sent him to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital from where he was referred to CMCH. Following a case filed by Chandon's wife Jemi Chowdhury on Saturday, police arrested Mohammad Saikat, owner of residential hotel AL Masud, and his manager Mohammad Karim. Jemi, however, alleged that police is showing negligence to arrest rest of the accused. Narrating the fateful incident with tearful eyes, she said, “Seriously injured in the hand of criminals led by Mohammad Saikat, owner of Hotel AL Masud, on May 28 night, my husband Chandon died.” “Some influential political leaders are creating pressure on me to withdraw the case. Where will I go with my 18-month-old girl Monika? Our condition is not good,” she said. Chandon's brother Kanchon Chowdhury also alleged police's negligence to arrest the other accused. Chandon used to look after Kanchon's business in the town. Motive behind the murder was not yet clear to the police and the family. Denying the allegations, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammad Maksudur Rahman said, “We have already arrested hotel owner Mohammad Saikat and his manager Mohammad Karim in connection with the case. We will conduct more raids to arrest the other criminals.” Condemning the killing, Shib Shankar Dev, a trader in Khagrachhari Bazar, urged the government to take steps to save minority Hindus. Locals formed human chains in the town yesterday and also on Monday demanding immediate arrest of Chandon's killers.