Bangladesh: Lawyer killed during violent protests; Dhaka defends arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das

A lawyer was killed on Tuesday after a scuffle broke out between protestors and security forces in Bangladesh over the denial of bail to Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.

Brahmachari, of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group, was arrested as he travelled from the capital Dhaka to Chittagong on Monday.

On Tuesday, supporters angry that bail was denied, surrounded the prison van carrying him away from court in Chittagong. Others hurled rocks.

A police inspector, Nurul Alam, told AFP that the victim has been identified as Saiful Islam Alif, a public prosecutor. “He had deep injuries on his head”, said hospital director Taslim Uddin.

The Indian foreign ministry has expressed concern over the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. “This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Brahmachari, of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group, was arrested on sedition charges as he travelled from the capital Dhaka to Chittagong on Monday.

‘Arrest misconstrued’

Responding to India’s reaction to Das’ arrest, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “It is with utter dismay and deep sense of hurt that the Government of Bangladesh notes that the arrest of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misconstrued by certain quarters since he has been arrested on specific charges.”

It added, “The government maintains that such unfounded statements not only misinterpret facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries.”

The ministry defended Bangladesh’s resolve to allow “every Bangladeshi, regardless of his or her religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance.”

The foreign ministry also expressed deep concern over the death of the public prosecutor.

Yunus ordered probe into killing

Meanwhile, interim government’s chief Muhammad Yunus has ordered an investigation into the killing of Saiful Islam Alif.

Yunus “urged people to keep calm”, vowing that the government “is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony in Bangladesh at any cost”.

With inputs from agencies