US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3710

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003710 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PINS, PGOV, BG, Crime/Murders 
SUBJECT: TWO CHRISTIAN NGO WORKERS KILLED 
 
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough reasons para 1.5 (b),(d) 
 
1. (SBU) On July 28, two Bangladeshi activists of Christian 
Life Bangladesh, a local NGO affiliated with the American 
Campus Crusade for Christ International, were killed in 
Faridpur north west Bangladesh.  Police have arrested three 
persons and continue to investigate but have not reached any 
conclusions about motive. 
 
2. (C) On August 1, Sunil Adhikary of Christian Life 
Bangladesh told poloff that both victims were Shantal tribal 
people from Christian families giving talks in the Faridpur 
area about family planning and HIV/AIDS awareness as well as 
showing the evangelical "Jesus Film."  Adhikary says they 
were in a Hindu and Muslim mixed village in the Faridpur area 
working for the past three months. 
 
3. (C) According to police sources and Adhikary, Christian 
Life Bangladesh filed a complaint with the police on July 23 
because a local Muslim religious leader threatened the two 
NGO activists if they continued showing the "Jesus Film."  On 
the night of July 28, a group of seven to eight persons 
knocked down the door while the two men were sleeping and 
stabbed them to death, according to press reports, the 
District Commissioner, and another local Christian leader. 
The three persons in custody are a local peasant found with a 
bloody shirt and the two drivers of a rickshaw that 
transported the victims and their movie equipment. 
 
4. (C) According to some reports, both victims were converted 
Hindus and had attracted the ire of local Hindus for their 
proselytizing efforts.  It is possible, therefore, that their 
attackers may not have been Muslim. 
 
5. (C) Comment: We will remain in touch with local officials 
and sources to monitor developments in this case. 
CHAMMAS