Dhaka, Sep 30: Bangladesh police said on Tuesday that at least 49 untoward incidents have occurred at puja mandaps across the country this month, leading to lodging of 15 cases and 19 arrests, local media reported.
While speaking at a press conference at the police headquarters on Tuesday, Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said majority of incidents that happened were minor and resolved peacefully without creating major communal unrest, Bangladesh’s leading daily The Daily Star reported.
“We have kept strict surveillance in and around 31,606 puja mandaps to ensure harmony. Whenever an issue arose, police immediately intervened to prevent escalation,” said Alam.
Alam stated that police recorded General Diaries (GDs) in some cases and cases were registered in others that resulted in arrests. He further stated, “Some accused have already given confessional statements before magistrates.”
The official said that police cyber unit was monitoring misleading posts and rumours circulating on social media.
These incidents highlight a troubling trend as Bangladesh has seen a rise in attacks on Hindu temples and minorities since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed office in August last year.
Last week, Hindu community leaders in Bangladesh demanded year-round protection for religious minorities and their places of worship, not just a five-day protection during the Durga Puja, the local media had reported.
While addressing a press conference in Dhaka, the leaders stated that incidents of temple and idol vandalism had already been reported from 13 districts across the country.
These attacks occurred when Hindu minorities were making preparations for Durga Puja. “If we want to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh, we should not only think about security for five days of Puja, we have to think about security for all 365 days,” The Daily Star quoted Jayanta Kumar Deb, president of Mohanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee, as saying. (IANS)
