Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) express grave concern and strongly condemn attack on the Baul Ashram of Rakhal Shah Baul at Loknathpur in Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga district.

According to newspaper reports, on November 21, 2011 at about 9.30 pm the followers of Abdus Samad, leader of the banned terrorist organization Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB), attacked the Ashram of Rakhal Shah Baul. It is also reported that earlier that night, at about 8.30 pm a team from detective branch of police came to the ashram and questioned about allegation of immoral activities in the ashram. As soon as police left the place a group led by the aforesaid person attacked the ashram and set fire after destroying the musical instruments and the ashram itself.

We urge the concerned authority to bring the alleged person within the grip of law and to set an example by punishing the offenders so that such incident does not recur.