Bangladesh’s Catholics seek justice for murder of a 94-year-old man

Catholic diocese of Barisal in Bangladesh wants justice for a 94-year-old man allegedly murdered using narcotic substances on January 31.

Melcome D’Costa, the oldest man in the community, was allegedly killed after administrating narcotic substances in the local Catholic community in Padrishibpur Parish,  in Barisal diocese, central-southern region of Bangladesh. 

Six other members of his family were hospitalized for the same accident. 

On January 29, after rendering six family members unconscious with drugs, the attackers looted all their valuables.

Melcome D’Costa died in hospital on January 31, while the other five family members are yet to recover.

Bangladeshi Barisal diocese is protesting, saying criminals in the Muslim-majority area target them because of their peace-loving nature.

More than a hundred people protested vigorously in the village, shouting slogans like "we want justice. My brother Melcome is in the grave," why are killers free?”

“People respected Melcome D’Costa as a good religious person, humble and helping others. We lost such a good person in our Christian community, and we feel so bad. Costa was a freedom fighter worker. So, we want justice for this murder,” said a demonstrator.

Andrew D'Costa, another demonstrator, said, "We all the peoples are Bangladeshi citizens, so why are we persecuted? As Christians, we are a minority; that is why they persecute us. But we are the minority group to live peacefully in our country and want to see the perpetrators of this murder punished.”

Father Anol Terence D’Costa, the convener of the diocesan commission for Social communications in Barisal Diocese said, "We are sad for this incident. We want justice and we encouraged our people to protest and protect strongly so that it may not happen again anymore".

"Christians have been attacked twice, the same way in Padrishibpur. It is an act of persecution. We want an exemplary punishment," said Father Anol.

Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howlader of Chattogram, the Apostolic Administrator of Barishal Diocese, visited the victims and expressed his closeness and sadness for the bad incident. Archbishop also visited the parish and joined protesters calling for the immediate arrest of the criminals.

Parish Priest Father Vincent B. Rozario, CSC, said, "We are attacked because we are a minority group; we don't seek action or protest when attacked. Now, we want justice.”

A similar incident occurred in the same area; a young woman was raped last year. The case is still pending. The villagers felt that the incident was planned and that the criminals targeted them because they belonged to a religious minority.