 "People run past a shopping center which was set on fire in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo: AP)")
As mobs run amok in Bangladesh attacking Hindus and other religious minorities, the new interim government has downplayed the violence.
Brigadier General (Retired) M Sakhawat Hossain, who holds charge of the interior ministry , told Reuters that while he was “very concerned” about attacks on minorities, the reports are “slightly exaggerated”.
Hossain is one of the 16 ‘advisors’ assisting Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in running the interim government of Bangladesh after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina earlier this month after weeks of mass movements against her 15-year rule. As anti-Hasina forces deposed her, they mounted attacks on political rivals of her Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) party and Hindus along with other minorities communities .
Throughout this week, houses of commoner Hindus, Hindu temples, and even Hindu public figures, and cultural centres associated with Hindu figures or having an India connection have been attacked in Bangladesh — even as Yunus and the rest of the anti-Hasina camp hail the moment as the nation’s second independence.
The Reuters reported that many homes and businesses of Hindus have been vandalised this week, prompting hundreds of Bangladeshis Hindus in northwest Bangladesh to India for their lives. They were made to return to their homes after the government’s intervention.
‘Law & order top priority’
Amid nationwide violence and looting amid inaction by police or military, Hossain told Reuters that improving the law and order situation was the top priority of the interim government.
Hossain said the interim government would work to improve the morale of the police to improve the law and order situation.
“Yes, there is a problem because law enforcement agencies are not there. They have to be given confidence so that they can come back,” said Hossain.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAs the morale among the personnel was “drastically low”, Hossain told the agency that he would reach out to law enforcement agencies immediately to restore confidence which could be followed by reforms.
Hossain further said, “After such a big upheaval, which has almost broken down the whole chain, it will definitely take some time. Now they are being attacked, thanas (police stations) are being attacked. How will these poor fellows be going about?”
The anti-Hasina forces comprising the student protestors, pro-Pakistan Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, had been clashing with police forces for weeks . In days leading up to Hasina’s ouster, police stations were attacked nationwide and 13 police personnel were killed in one such attack . Such attacks mean that the police personnel deserted their posts and there is little to no police presence in Bangladesh at the moment.
Even though the military took charge of Bangladesh, it did nothing to prevent the nationwide mob violence against Hindus and other minorities along with political rivals of Hasina’s BAL.