The daughter of Pastor Motility Das, Elina, was raped May 2 by the Muslims intent on stopping his Christian work in the village of Laksmipur of Mymensingh district, several Christians said.
The Muslims reportedly abducted Elina while she was walking to a latrine outside her home. They apparently took her to a nearby tea stall where she was repeatedly raped. In the early morning hours, Pastor Das said he found Elina unconscious on his doorstep.
POLICE RELUCTANT
When he went to the police station, officers allegedly reluctantly registered the case after accusing him of filing false charges. Soon after a medical report on Elina’s case allegedly proved that her claims of sexual assault were false.
"However, relatives of the accused rapists reportedly gave 80,000 taka ($1,168) to the medical college to alter the report in their favour." said Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), a Christian rights group closely monitoring the case. Pastor Das’ Muslim neighbours have apparently expressed their shock over the falsified report which they had hoped would help to bring the rapists to justice.
The latest developments came after Muslims threatened to kill the pastor and his family "if he does not withdraw the charges," VOMC added in a statement obtained by BosNewsLife.
"EVANGELISTIC WORK"
Pastor Das said local Muslim have been angered by his evangelistic work in the area and that he had previously received death threats. Male Muslim classmates have also allegedly repeatedly teased and harassed Elina, the only Christian in her school, about her faith.
VOMC said it has urged its supporters to pray that “God give Elina healing from the assault,” and that authorities “will prosecute the offenders to the full extent of the law.” I said it realized that "Elina and her family will struggle with the ability to exhibit God’s love to their persecutors."
Human rights watchers have expressed concern about a rise in reported attacks against Christians in Bangladesh.
