Leaders of the Sammilito Samajik Andolan (SSA) yesterday demanded that the culprits involved in attacks on the Christians in different parts of the country be arrested immediately.

"The government must lake necessary' steps to put an end to the repression on the minority communities io strengthen democracy in the country." said Pankaj Bhattachariya al a press conference al the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium in the city yesterday.

The organisation presented a report on such incidents at the press conference. The leaders of the organisation prepared the report after visiting Kamalapur village in Savar, Foilozana village in Pabna and Ichhakalhi village in Barisai where the incidents of attacks took place.

About 60 families, including 10 Christian families of Kamalapur in Savar, are still passing their days in panic as the local hoodlums who attacked the Christian families on March 7 were not arrested as yet, the leaders said.

They alleged (hat Shawkat Ali. Sentu Mia and their gang in Bhabanipur village attacked the Christian families, beat up male

members of the families and tried to rape some women. The gang also attacked another 50 Muslim families when (hey tried to resist the hoodlums.

Despile a case filed will) the Savar police, the main culprits are roaming scot-free and even threatening to oust the Christian families from the village, said Chowdhury Khurshid Alam, a leader of SSA. at the press conference.

He also said the masterminds of the attacks in other two areas were nol arrested till now: “To make things worse, police an harassing the victims and complainants by implidaling them in false cases."

Alam said the main accused were roaming freely and threatening the victims and otherMuslims who sympathise with (he victims.

He urged the government to bring the culprits io book and: withdraw Jalse cases against the

He also called for ensuring security to Ihe minority communities.

Among others. Ajay Ray. president ol SSA. and Samusuddoha. a former MP. were present al the press conference.