BANGLADESH CEMENTS SAFETY MEASURES FOR MINORITIES, VOWS TO BRING ‘MISCREANTS’ TO JUSTICE

Muslims in certain places of Bangladesh are voluntarily protecting Hindu homes and temples. (Image: X-Twitter)

Mon 12 August 2024:

Bangladesh has taken more measures to ensure the safety of minorities in the South Asian nation, with official assuring compensation to those affected in recent attacks.

AFM Khalid Hossain, adviser to the transitional government on religious affairs, told reporters that the “miscreants” behind the attacks on religious places and houses of minorities will be brought to justice.

“Although there are isolated incidents, this country is a country of communal harmony. Those who attack minorities are miscreants… Efforts are being made to bring these miscreants to book to ensure punishment,” said Hossain.

Chief advisor Muhammad Yunus will meet the minorities on Tuesday, said Hossain.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

Hossain also said that the government was collecting a list of places damaged during the attacks.

“The amount of assistance to the victims will be decided Tuesday,” he added.

According to the daily Prothom Alo, such attacks happened in at least 12 districts following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government on Aug. 5.

Hasina fled to neighboring India after weeks of anti-government protests which resulted in at least 580 deaths since July 16, with 326 such killings in three days between Aug. 4 and 6.

Hossain said the transitional government is also establishing a hotline number to provide immediate security support to the religious minorities.

The ministry has issued letters to Imams, or the Muslim prayer leaders, across the country directing them to speak on religious harmony and the rights of minorities during sermons, said the adviser.

Meanwhile, in neighboring India, two members of the right-wing Hindu Raksha Dal allegedly attacked several families of Muslim workers living in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi, on Friday.

Hindu Raksha Dal attacks families of Muslim workers in India’s Ghaziabad

Falsely claiming that the residents of a Ghaziabad slum were Bangladeshis, members of a fringe group called the Hindu Raksha Dal thrashed them, damaged their huts, and burnt their household items on Friday.… pic.twitter.com/YK3w8oM62O

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) August 10, 2024