Justice still elusive for Ramu victims

We are deeply frustrated that none of the cases filed in connection with the Ramu violence, which took place in Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar during September 29-30 in 2012, have yet been disposed of. Reportedly, incited by a Facebook post – which was later found to be fake – from a Buddhist youth (who still remains missing), religious fanatics vandalised and torched 19 Buddhist temples and over 100 houses in Ramu, Ukhiya, Teknaf and Cox's Bazar Sadar upazilas, as well as Chattogram's Patiya upazila. Although as many as 18 cases were filed in connection with the violence during that time, not a single one of them has been disposed of yet. And, reportedly, one of the cases was settled immediately after it was filed. We would like to ask: should it take 10 years to complete the investigations and dispose of the cases?

After a decade has passed since the religious zealots unleashed violence on the minority Buddhist community in Ramu, we have now come to know from the public prosecutor of Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Judge's Court that the cases remain pending as the witnesses don't appear before the courts to testify against the accused. He also said that the victims have little interest in pursuing the cases as the government built them new homes and pagodas. We are deeply disturbed by the simplistic explanation offered by the public prosecutor – it has long been reported that the victims and witnesses were in fear as some of the attackers were local powerful people with strong backing from the administration and the police.

We know that a total of three probes – one by a judicial body, another by the police, and the third by the home ministry – were conducted in line with HC orders, after two writ petitions were filed with the HC by two Supreme Court lawyers, seeking action against the perpetrators and the local officials for their "negligence" in preventing the incidents. The police gave seven charge sheets against 385 people, all of whom are now out on bail. The home ministry report mentioned that 205 people were involved in the mayhem and that it was planned at least 10 days ahead. The home ministry report and the judicial report had not only identified the attackers but also found that law enforcement agencies and local administration did not play their role to prevent the attacks. The probe conducted by the judicial body also made 20 recommendations, which included helping improve the competence and standards of the administration, restricting posts on social media, etc.

But, unfortunately, the HC is yet to hold the final hearing on the writ petitions and deliver a verdict on them. Previously, we heard that the court was overburdened with a high caseload. The reconstitution of HC benches was also cited as a reason why the court could not hear the petitions. We would like to ask: what is stopping the procedure right now? We demand justice for the Ramu victims and feel that there can be no reason for the cases to linger anymore.