29 Hindu homes burnt in Bangladesh; protest erupts in Northeast

GUWAHATI:

At a time when Indians across the country are protesting against the alleged attack on Hindus and vandalisation of temples in Bangladesh, at least 29 homes belonging to Hindus were set ablaze on the night of October 17, reports bdnews24.com, a news website of Bangladesh on October 18.

According to the online news portal, the arson happened in a village about 255 km from the capital city Dhaka.

Following the arson, police rushed to the spot, which has witnessed tension since October 13, over the alleged “blasphemous Facebook post” that triggered the widespread communal attack against the minority Hindus in the country. The attacks on Hindus were triggered following allegations that a Hindu man’s Facebook post dishonoured Islam, thebdnews24.com website quoted a police official as saying. The authenticity of the post, however, remains in grey.

Meanwhile, on Monday, people were up in arms across Assam and other parts of the Northeast over the attacks on Hindu minorities and the vandalisation of Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh during the puja celebrations. From Guwahati to Agartala, angry protestors took to the streets condemned the attack and demanded action against the perpetrators.

Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and other groups took out rallies in Guwahati, Agartala, and Silchar in protest against the mob attacks which has left six people dead and several others injured in the last few days.

The protestors raised slogans against the Sheikh Hasina government for turning a blind eye to the attack and demanded immediate protection of the Hindu community from the Government of Bangladesh.

Earlier on Sunday, the Central Puja Committee of Meghalaya had also issued a statement stating that the committee will submit the memorandum to heads of both India and Bangladesh to arrest the perpetrators of the communal violence and bring to halt the repeated attacks.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said that the attacks on Durga Puja arcades were 'pre-planned' and aimed at destroying communal harmony in the country.

Khan was also quoted saying that the act was motivated and instigated by a vested group backed by outer elements targetting Hindus who form 10 per cent of the Bangladesh population.

TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp. CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.

ALSO READ: Central Puja Committee condemns vandalisation of pandals, attack on Hindus in Bangladesh