President Abdul Hamid on Monday visited Ramu upazila in Cox’s Bazar where Buddhist temples and houses were damaged in communal attacks on September 29-30, 2012, and expressed satisfaction over the rehabilitation works.
The President also distributed cheques among the affected members of the minority community, enquired about their wellbeing and expressed satisfaction over their rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged temples and houses, President’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB.
The President first visited U-maungrhee Bihar where four temples have been rebuilt. The President then went to Ramu Kendriya Sima Bihar and distributed cheques among the affected families. Finally, the President visited Ramu Bimukti Bidarshan Bhavana Kendra.
A large number of people from all walks of life stood on both sides of the roads in Ramu to have a glimpse of the President.
Later, President Hamid returned to Dhaka by a helicopter in the afternoon ending his two-day visit to Cox’s Bazar district.
Earlier on Sunday, Abdul Hamid visited St. Martin’s island, the country’s lone coral island in the Bay of Bengal, and Inani to enjoy the spectacular view of the Bay of Bengal from the Inani beach.
On September 29 and 30 in 2012, fanatics vandalized and torched Buddhist temples and houses in Ramu and Ukhia upazials of Cox’s Bazar following a fake Facebook post demeaning the holy Quran.
Some 12 temples and Bihars in Ramu and seven in Ukhia were damaged during the two-day attacks following instigation by some fanatics and miscreants.
After the disgraceful incidents, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed Bangladesh Army to rebuilt these temples and Bihars under a project, titled ‘Rebuilding and Renovation of damaged Buddhist Bihars and Temples’, spending Tk 20 crore.
The Bangladesh Army rebuilt and renovated these Buddhist temples and Bihars in 19 separate places incorporating the traditional designs of the renowned architects from the Buddhist community.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 12 Buddhist temples and Bihars, including Ramu Bimukti Bidarshan Bhavana Kendra, Ramu Kendriyo Sima Bihar and Ramu Moitree Bihar on September 3, 2013.
Source: UNB Connect
