Staff Reporter:
High Court and Lower Court ordered the defendants to stop unauthorized entry and all their activities at Chandrakanta Memorial Church which is situated at Guthia union in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal. Notices in this regard have been sent by the court to all the respondents and the concerned departments.

The appellants are Church pastor James Ananda Biswas and Hanson Daniel Hansda while the defendants are Milton Samaddar, Liton Samaddar, Asim Samaddar, Dhijen Samaddar, Timon Samaddar, Saikat Samaddar Gong.

The pastor of the church, James Ananda Biswas said that for the past 7/8 years, misguided people have been rejecting the rules and activities of this church. The circle has been trying to transform the holy church into a socio-economic establishment. The group has been abolishing the rules and regulations of the church, individuality and ideology, took over the religious institution and turned it into a socio-economic institution and beating up and torturing the priests.

He further added that the defendants are angry with us because we are opponents of the organization’s ideology have resisted their attempts to exert unjust influence. That It will not be possible by us in any way. And to sacrifice this life for the protection of this church, I will not back down. The Defendants conducted terrorist activities, beatings, death threats and repeatedly attacked the church with terrorist forces many times. They have made false allegations against us in various places. Defendants formed a committee among themselves in the church by forging the letter of the ministry with the connivance of individuals and occupied the church. on February 6, 2020, the DC of Barishal along with some other people went to Chandrakanta Memorial Church and read out a letter that directed the church authorities to form a managing committee for the church. They claimed that the letter was issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. As the deputy commissioner left, Milton and his group attacked and beat up priests and those who opposed them. They left after locking down the pocket gate of the compound and few rooms of the adjoining buildings.

In the context of the writ petition of the High Court, the defendants will not be able to interfere in any matter of the church. Apart from this, the plaintiff will be able to bring contempt of court case. The letter was sent to the Ministry and the Deputy Commissioner of Barishal and Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Thana Chief Officer and to all the concerned departments. Additional District Magistrate Court on 27/10/2020 barred the defendants for unauthorized entry into the church.

According to local sources, the church has been well-known since its inception. Some locals have resorted to their nefarious intentions and attempts to embezzle the organization.

Since its establishment, the church has been one of the most traditional institutions in the region and in Bangladesh. But after being misled, the protesters started conspiring to take over the church with the connivance of outsiders. The cycle is so powerful that they have managed everything and continued to try to make a profit. Recently, this insidious mahal has filed a false case against the priests.