In an attempt to terrorise the religious minority, unidentified persons attacked a Hindu temple, murdered a priest and shot and badly wounded a devotee in northern Bangladesh early on Sunday.

The attack, third in the last five months on Christian and Hindu priests, took place in Debigonj of Panchagarh district. Jogeshwar Dasa Dhikari (50), the priest of Sri Sri Shantu Santo Gaurio monastery, was stabbed to death, local police said.

Police said the incident happened when the priest was preparing for morning prayers as the assailants first hurled stones at the temple. Before fleeing, they shot at one Gopal Chandra Roy who was rushing in to save the priest.

The attackers also fired shots and threw crude bombs before escaping from the spot on a motorbike, the police said, adding that the identity of the assailants and the motive behind the assault were not immediately clear.

Three deadly attacks
With Sunday’s incident, three leaders of religious minorities have come under attacks over the last five months in northern Bangladesh.

Pastor Luke Sarkar of Faith Bible Church in northern Ishwardi had a narrow escape from an attempt on his life when unidentified youths tried to slit his throat in Pabna in October last year. Piero Parolari (57), an Italian doctor and pastor, was shot in the back of his head in Dinajpur town in November.

The District Superintendent of Police said the police were tracing the killers to ascertain the motive behind the attacks.

curled from thehindu.com

By Mohammad Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) — A Kaduna Magistrate Court Friday dismisses the case instituted against Mr. Uba Sani, the Political Adviser to Governor of Kaduna State by members of Gidan Daji community for alleged inflicting injury, wreaking havoc and trying to forcefully demolish the houses under claims that he had acquired the land.

Magistrate Mohammed Auwal Yusuf of Magistrate Court II, Gabasawa, Kaduna, in his ruling inside his chamber struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction and lack of proper representation.

Among the synopsis of argument of the defence council submitted before the judgment was that the complainant/respondents is not known to law and that Gidan Daji community has no locus standi to file such case.

Counsel to Uba Sani, Abdulrauf Atiku in his own reaction said, the court has strucked out the matter on the basis that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter since they have not filed the matter with proper parties and a court cannot adjudicate on a matter without proper parties.

He said his client intends to seek redress based on the ruling of the court.

“We have to follow it to the logical conclusion because to us we feel this is something that, if we don’t take the necessary action, it will remain unfinished.

It is better for us to go to the right court, institute the action so that the matter can be determined once and for all.

“In fact, we are suing any other person that is involved in this case”, he said.

Uba Sani said he will sue Senator representing Kaduna central senatorial zone, Shehu Sani, for defamation over a land grab case instituted against him (Mr Uba Sani).

Even though Senator Shehu Sani was not in anyway joined in the suit, but Uba Sani, in an interview inside the court premises, shortly after the ruling, vowed to sue Senator Shehu Sani and other “party” for alleged instigation and sponsor of the community.

Uba Sani represented by his political Aide, Abdulrahman Tonga said several attempt to resolve the matter amicably with the parties failed.

“We found out that, specifically Senator Shehu Sani has interest to sponsor this case. This will not be in the interest of the masses.

“Shehu Sani is trying to politicise the matter, we want to tell him that, it will not work,” he said.

Tonga added that with this ruling of the magistrate court, all those involved, including Sen Shehu Sani will be sued for defamation of character.
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Counsel to the plaintiffs, Henry Uzoma Obimba, while responding to the judgment in an interview with journalists said his client will do the needful.

“All our effort is to ensure that, the downtrodden are not being rubbished, everybody in Nigeria are equal and the law protects whoever it is.”

“So, in this case we will proceed from here. This also sent a signal to both the complainant and the defendant on what to do.

“There is always the upper court if the lower court did not conform to the law, we will proceed ahead.

“As at the time we find the case, there was no synchronisation of who is to appear and that exactly where the problem is,” he added.

Efforts to get Senator Shehu Sani’s reaction proved abortive.