Dhaka, Jun 21 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday gave Tk 2 lakh to the family of Bimal Shil, who survived an arson attack in Banshkhali in Chittagong in 2003 that left 11 members of his family dead.
 
Eleven members of a Hindu family in Chittagong were burned to death in an arson attack allegedly by BNP men during the regime of BNP-Jamaat government in 2003.
 
Bimal Shil, his wife Sheuli Shil, son Shourav and daughter Mamata were present at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to receive the cheaque from the Prime Minister.
 
BNP goons set fire to the house of Tejendra Lal Shil at Sadhanpur of Banskhali upazila in the dead night of November 18, 2003 after spraying gunpowder, leaving all 11 members of the family dead.
 
Bimal, Tejendra’s son, his wife and children escaped the death as they were in the town on that night.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the incident of Banshkhali was an example of the brutality of BNP-Jamaat alliance government during their tenure in 2001-2006.
 
She mentioned that BNP during its tenure unleashed such brutalities against Awami League leaders and workers and members of the minority community.
 
Hasina also said that BNP-Jamaat terrorists killed around 22,000 leaders and workers of Awami League during their tenure.
 
Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League Akhteruzzaman Chowdhury Babu, local Awami League leaders, PM’s advisor Professor Ghowhar Rizvi, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Sheikh M Wahiduzzaman, PMO secretary Mollah Wahiduzzaman and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present.