Bangladesh: Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council protests against communal violence

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council on Saturday organised statewide protests in response to recent attacks on Hindus during and after Durga Puja festival. organisation conducted a demonstration in Shahbag, Dhaka, from 6 AM to 12 PM. Thousands of people participated in simultaneous demonstrations across country, including Chittagong and Sylhet, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) leader Hasanul Haque Inu demanded safety and security of country's religious mirity. He claimed that recent attack was well planned to incite Hindu-Muslim communal riots. According to Bangladesh ISKCON General Secretary Charu Chanda Das, attacks on Hindu establishments were t new in country and if culprits of previous attacks had been brought to justice, present attacks could have been avoided.
 
Earlier, Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad (BPUP) General Secretary Nirmal Kumar Chatterjee claimed that only one guard was present at temporary Puja location in Comilla on night of incident. He also stated that electricity supply to puja venue was turned off for a brief moment in wee hours of October 13, day incident reportedly happened.  " cause of power out is yet to be determined. Is re a formal investigation into incident?" Chatterjee inquired as reported by Dhaka Tribune. As of w, 102 cases have been filed accusing as many as 20,619 people in various regions of country in connection with attacks on Hindus and disseminating rumours on social media, according to police's official data.  

Bangladesh reeling under communal violence

At least four persons were killed in police shootings during attacks on Puja venues in Hajiganj on October 13, whereas, two days later, attacks on Hindu temples in Naokhali took lives of two more persons, reported Dhaka Tribune. On Tuesday, October 19, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Home Minister, said that officials have identified perpetrator of Comilla trdy and that he will be arrested sooner than later, reported outlet. 

PM Sheikh Hasina calls for strict action against perpetrators

It is significant to te that Hindu vills in Rangpur's Pirganj Upazila were also attacked on Sunday night, October 17, after an alleged Facebook post offended Muslims' religious sentiments. According to Dhaka Tribune, at least 20 homes were set ablaze in incident. Meanwhile, young Hindu man who reportedly uploaded post was apprehended on very next day, claimed police. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed law enforcement to take strict action against perpetrators and also encourd Muslim community to exercise restraint. 

Im: ANI