Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

Miscreants have attacked houses and shops of Hindus in Jessore and Dinajpur for casting vote in the 10th national elections.

Hindu houses were vandalised, looted and torched in Maloparha of Chapatola village at Abhoynagar Upazila in Jessore on Sunday evening.

Locals said the criminals had entered Maloparha and ransacked 150 houses damaging furniture and other valuables around 7pm.

They also set fire to several houses and looted valuables.

After the incident, the panic-stricken residents left the village.

Firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the flame immediately.

Jessore Assistant Superintendent of Police (Sadar) Reshma Sharmin said activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, an ally of opposition BNP, had carried out the attack at a time when the administration was busy with counting of votes.

The Opposition boycotted the elections held on Sunday. It enforced shutdown and blockade to thwart it.

Police will file a case, the ASP said.

A local MP, Jessore Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police visited the spot on Monday morning.

The affected families were given 200 blankets.

Ranjit Roy, who was elected in Sunday’s polls, alleged the Jamaat activists had carried out the attack at the instigation of his opponent Sheikh Abdul Ohab.

Abdul Ohab was not available for comments.

bdnew24.com Dinajpur correspondent said over 100 Hindu houses and shops were vandalised and set on fire in Kornai village of Chehelgazi Union of Sadar Upazila.

The affected families took shelter at the house of a local social worker Rezaul Karim.

Hundreds of Jamaat activists continued the attacks on Hindu houses and shops with crude weapons and sticks for three hours on Sunday night.

They also ransacked and set fire to many houses and shops at the time.

The victims alleged the BNP and Jamaat activists had attacked their houses for casting vote.

They alleged they had informed the administration about the attack immediately after it was unleashed but did not get any response.

Kotwali Police Station OC Altaf Hossain said they were busy in election duty.

He said action would be taken against those responsible.

District BNP General Secretary Mukut Chowdhury denied allegation of the involvement of his party in the attacks.

Local MP Iqbalur Rahim and administration officials visited the area on Monday morning.

Source : Bangladesh News