Partially Constructed Church in Bangladesh Demolished by Forest Officials
03/07/2021 Bangladesh (International Christian Concern) – According to the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN), Christian leaders in Bangladesh have condemned the demolition of a partially built church in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
On February 25, officials from the Forest Department and 8-10 Muslim civilians tore down an under-construction church in Kurukpata Union, located in the Bandarban District. Forest officials claim the church was being illegally built in a forest reserve.
“Official said they demolished the church building because it was being constructed in a forest reserve,” Adhirang Tripura, a member of the church community, told UCAN. “But my question is, why are illegal activities like cutting down trees and lifting stones from rivers not stopped? Can’t we as minorities practice our religion properly?”
According to Tripura, the under-construction church was being built to replace an old structure made of bamboo and straw. That old structure had existed without complaint for years. Some 160 Christians reportedly attended the church that was demolished.
