FIVE people were killed in attacks by Jammat-e-Islami supporters in various parts of Bangladesh since the execution of party leader and war criminal Abdul Quader Mollah on Thursday. An Awami League and a Juba League functionary died. A rickshaw puller and a Bangladesh Nationalist Party activist were also killed. At least 150 vehicles were burnt and over 50 vandalized. What is alarming is that minority communities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus are worried about reprisal attacks on them. Hindus are at particular risk of violence, said Abbas Faiz of Amnesty International. A Jammat leader. Makbul Ahmed has said that people would take revenge on the execution of Mollah by establishing Islam in Bangladesh. Authorities should ensure that the possible victims of reprisal are given the protection they need as this tense time. It may be recalled that whole villages had been burnt in the violence against Hindus this year and no one was brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s ex -military ruler, H M Ershad was whisked away by security forces and admitted to a military hospital in Dhaka. He had recently announced his decision to boycott the elections next month. It is presumed that the step was taken to force him and his Jatiya Party to take part in the January 5 polls. The party is a key ally of the Awami League- led grand alliance. But the ostensible reason was his illness. The coming polls are not likely to be peaceful. The Jammat has been banned but it has strong support in different parts of the country. It has declared a nation-wide strike for one day and is torching shops owned by Awami League leaders. It may have been judicious to postpone the hanging of Abdul Quader Mollah till after the elections. A backlash against Hindus in Bangladesh may have violent reactions across the Indian border.
