Septuagenarian Buddhist monk attacked in temple

CHT DESK

Unidentified miscreants attacked a Buddhist monk inside a temple in remote area of Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya upazila early Monday.

The attackers intruded into the temple by breaking its door and attacked the monk with sharp weapons, said Santosh Barua, a devotee of the temple.

The victim is Srimoth Dharma Jyoti, 72, principal of Morichha Srabosti Buddhist temple, Santosh added.

Dharma Jyoti dedicated himself to the path of spiritualism around thirteen years ago, said Santosh.

“I found him critically injured and senseless around 6:30am when I went to the Kyang (temple) to serve him food”, said one Bappi Barua, grandson of the victim of the area.

“My grandfather had no enmity with anyone in the area”, said Bappi.

“We first took him [the victim] to Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex for treatment,” he further said, adding that doctors at the complex later referred him Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.

“As his condition was deteriorating he was sent to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital from Cox’s Bazar”, Santosh said,

Md Russel, additional police super of Ukhiya circle said, “A case was filed in this connection while we are trying to arrest the criminals.”

Dr Shajedul Imran, resident medical officer of Ukhiya Upazila Health Complex, said, “The injured monk had wounds on his head, hand and other parts of the body.”

“Earlier, in 2012 a Buddhist temple was torched in the area”, said Santosh.

The Buddhist community members in the area are scared after the attack on the monk, he added.