Goons attack Hindu temples during Durga Puja in Bangladesh, 3 killed
Hindu temples were vandalized by unidentified miscreants during Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh, prompting the government to deploy paramilitary forces in 22 districts after three people were killed and several others injured in the riots, media reports Thursday. was asked to The bdnews24.com news website reported that a local temple in Kumila, about 100 km from here, became the center of a social media storm on Wednesday following allegations of blasphemy.
After the clash, the administration and police tried to control the situation, the statement said. Incidents of vandalism have also been reported from Hindu temples at Hajiganj in Chandpur, Banshkhali in Chattogram and Pekua in Cox’s Bazar, the report said.
The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that at one point, the situation spiraled out of control and riots broke out at several Durga Puja places. The local administration and police were attacked as they tried to maintain law and order, it said.
At least three people were killed and several others were injured on Wednesday between a mob and police in Hajiganj upazila of Chandpur following the incident in Kamila, the Daily Star newspaper reported.
Later, the elite crime and counter-terrorism unit of Bangladesh Police Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to bring the situation under control.
It said the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an emergency notice urging the public not to take the law into their own hands as it reiterated the call for maintaining communal harmony and peace.
The report said the government has deployed BGBs in 22 districts after several attacks on Hindu temples during Durga Puja celebrations.
Lt Col Faizur Rahman, BGB’s Director of Operations, said, “On the request of the Deputy Commissioners and under the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, BGB personnel have been deployed to ensure security during Durga Puja.”
“So far we have deployed BGB personnel in 22 districts, including Kamila and Narsingdi, if required,” the official said. Soldiers can also be stationed in the capital if the local administration so requests.
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