Bangladesh has confirmed 88 incidents of communal violence targeting minorities, mainly Hindus, since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. Shafiqul Alam, press secretary for Interim government head Muhammad Yunus, revealed this information on Tuesday.
Arrests Made and Investigations Continue
Alam stated that 70 individuals have been arrested in connection with these incidents. Moreover, he pointed out that the number of arrests and cases could increase as new incidents are reported in areas like Sunamganj and Gazipur. “Between August 5 and October 22, 88 cases involving minorities were registered,” Alam said. “We expect more cases and arrests as new violence continues to be reported.”
Government Explains the Violence
The government explained that Hindus were not mainly targeted for their faith. According to Alam, some attacks were directed at individuals associated with the previous ruling party or stemmed from personal disputes. “Some attacks targeted individuals who were former members of the ruling party, or they were the result of personal disputes. The police are taking action,” he added.
Ongoing Concerns and Diplomatic Meetings
Meanwhile, the violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples, have raised significant concerns in India. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who visited Bangladesh on Monday, conveyed India’s concerns regarding the safety of minorities. During his visit, he met with Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Jashim Uddin and Interim Chief Muhammad Yunus.
Misri’s visit marked the first high-level Indian delegation to Bangladesh since the change in government in August. This visit comes amid strained relations between the two countries, largely due to these issues, including the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Further Updates Expected
Alam confirmed that more details regarding incidents after October 22 will be shared soon. Consequently, the situation remains under close investigation.