String of attacks rattles B’desh Hindus

Bangladesh’s Hindus have been rattled by a string of attacks linked to the recent controversial general election, with leaders of the minority community saying such violence can be stopped only if the government takes stern action against perpetrators.

Activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami were blamed for attacks on the Hindus, who were accused of backing the Awami League which won the 5 January polls despite a boycott by the opposition.

The activists torched, vandalised and looted homes, shops and businesses establishments of Hindus in the northwestern districts of Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon and at Noapara in western Jessore district, which was the worst affected area.

‘But first of all, let me tell you this is not any communal violence. The attacks were carried out with a political motive to create instability and affect our relations with regional nations,’ Inu said.

He said dozens of culprits had been detained as part of a massive clampdown and the situation would improve further after the new Awami League government assumes office.

Lawmakers would go their respective areas and oversee an anti-communal campaign after the government is installed.

The HBCUC staged a nationwide black flag protest over the attacks on Saturday, with the main protest held in Dhaka, where activists demanded the enactment of tougher laws to prosecute culprits in fast tracks courts and compensate victims.

Hundreds of youths carrying banners of the Ganojagaran Mancha or ‘mass upsurge movement’ joined a march towards Jessore, where Hindus were the worst victims of violence.

Government officials said the attacks on Hindus would be categorised as acts of ‘terrorism’.

Shafique Ahmed, the Prime Minister’s law affairs adviser, said a process has been initiated to try the culprits under the Terrorism Prevention Act.

The Law Ministry has already taken the initiative of forming tribunals in consultation with the Supreme Court.

Home Secretary C Q Moshtaque said the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh was kept in place despite the end of their election duties to asked to prevent fresh attacks on Hindus.