TWO CHRISTIAN NGO WORKERS KILLED

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003710

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2015
TAGS: PHUM PINS PGOV BG
SUBJECT: TWO CHRISTIAN NGO WORKERS KILLED

Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough reasons para 1.5 (b),(d)


1. (SBU) On July 28, two Bangladeshi activists of Christian
Life Bangladesh, a local NGO affiliated with the American
Campus Crusade for Christ International, were killed in
Faridpur north west Bangladesh. Police have arrested three
persons and continue to investigate but have not reached any
conclusions about motive.


2. (C) On August 1, Sunil Adhikary of Christian Life
Bangladesh told poloff that both victims were Shantal tribal
people from Christian families giving talks in the Faridpur
area about family planning and HIV/AIDS awareness as well as
showing the evangelical "Jesus Film." Adhikary says they
were in a Hindu and Muslim mixed village in the Faridpur area
working for the past three months.


3. (C) According to police sources and Adhikary, Christian
Life Bangladesh filed a complaint with the police on July 23
because a local Muslim religious leader threatened the two
NGO activists if they continued showing the "Jesus Film." On
the night of July 28, a group of seven to eight persons
knocked down the door while the two men were sleeping and
stabbed them to death, according to press reports, the
District Commissioner, and another local Christian leader.
The three persons in custody are a local peasant found with a
bloody shirt and the two drivers of a rickshaw that
transported the victims and their movie equipment.


4. (C) According to some reports, both victims were converted
Hindus and had attracted the ire of local Hindus for their
proselytizing efforts. It is possible, therefore, that their
attackers may not have been Muslim.


5. (C) Comment: We will remain in touch with local officials
and sources to monitor developments in this case.
CHAMMAS