Staff Reporter :The body of Japanese national Kunio Hoshi, who was murdered on October 3, has been kept at mortuary of Rangpur Medical College and Hospital (RMCH). Formal preparation for his burial or cremation could not be taken as no clear information about his religious identity was yet established.According to some reports, Kunio Hoshi had embraced Islam after coming to Bangladesh in May for second time. He was seen offering prayers at local mosque at Kawnia Upazila in Rangpur district.However, talking to journalists on Thursday, Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) Mayor Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu said if he (Kunio Hoshi) were a Muslim, he is likely to be buried today (Friday) at Munshipara graveyard in Kawnia Upazila of Rangpur district.He said first secretary of Japan Embassy over phone wanted to know from him about the burial of the body of Kunio Hoshi.”He (first secretary) also wanted to know whether Kunio Hoshi can be buried at Rangpur or not. I told him if Kunio Hoshi were a Muslim, send his papers and other documents,” the RCC mayor added.Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu said that first secretary of Japan Embassy also wanted to know the cost of funeral.”I informed him (first secretary) that taka 2,500 to taka 3,000 might be spent for his (Kunio Hoshi) burial,” RCC Mayor said. He said, if Kunio Hoshi had been converted to Muslim, there is no bar to bury him in the city corporation’s graveyard. He said as per Japan Embassy’s request, when the all procedures will be completed, he (Kunio Hoshi) is likely to be buried at Munshipara graveyard today (Friday). When contacted, MD Rahat Anwar, Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur said that the first secretary of Japan Embassy talked to him over the issue.”The first secretary of Japan Embassy talked to me over phone about the burial of Kunio Hoshi,” he said.
