New Delhi : The Bangladesh government has promised to take a strict action against the accused behind the attacks on Hindu Temples and Durga Puja celebrations amid criticism that the Muslim-majority country hasn’t done enough to protect minorities.
Four people were killed in attack on Durga puja celebrations prompting Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deploy paramilitary force in 22 districts on Thursday.
The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the armed police were also ordered to be on guard with the BGB in 22 of the 64 administrative districts and elsewhere to contain any violence, he said.
People were killed and several others injured during clashes between Muslims and the police at Hajiganj sub-district in Chandpur, bordering Cumilla on Wednesday while the fourth one succumbed to his wounds later.
Prime Minister Hasina promised to bring to justice the culprits behind the violence, saying anyone involved in the attacks on Hindu temples and Durga Puja venues in Comilla will not be spared.
“The incidents in Comilla are being thoroughly investigated. Nobody will be spared. It doesn’t matter which religion they belong to. They will be hunted down and punished,” she said while exchanging greetings with the Hindus during an event at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, news agency PTI reported.
“We are getting a large amount of information. This is an era of technology and those involved in the incident will definitely be tracked down with the use of the technology,” Ms Hasina said.
India has sought action against the people behind the violence unleashed during the Durga Puja celebrations.
She also urged India to remain vigilant against escalation of any communal violence. “We expect that nothing happens there (in India) which could influence any situation in Bangladesh affecting our Hindu community here,” she said.
Authorities enforced a ban on rallies in Haziganj where officials confirmed the deaths of four people in gunshots, adding that two others were critically injured in the clashes.
The police said that a couple of their officials were injured as the mob attacked them and vandalised their and local administrators’ cars.
They, however, did not explain if the casualties were caused due to the police actions but media reports said that the police opened fire on a mob of over 500 people.
According to the officials, the police were alerted about an alleged blasphemy incident at a Durga Puja pavilion in Cumilla, about 100 kms from here, after which a probe was launched.
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