Dhaka, December 5, 2024 (Navroze Bureau) – In another targeted attack on the Hindu community in Bangladesh, a mob looted and vandalized several shops and houses of Hindus in Dowarabazar area of Sunamganj district on Tuesday. The attack allegedly took place after an ‘objectionable’ post on Facebook by a local Hindu youth. The attacks took place between evening and midnight. According to a Business Standard Bangladesh report, the Bangladesh Army brought the situation under control by 2:30 pm. Dowarabazar police station in-charge Jahidul Haque said that the person who posted the post has been arrested.
He said, ‘We are trying to identify the attackers. If any complaint is lodged, we will take legal action.’ Locals said that a group took out a procession over the alleged objectionable Facebook post and during this they attacked the houses and shops of the minority community. At the same time, leaders of the minority Hindu community said that many of their houses and shops were vandalized and looted. The Bangladesh government has downplayed the incident.
Khokan Roy, general secretary of the Dowarabazar Loknath Temple Management Committee, said, “At least 30 houses in the village were vandalised on Tuesday night. The attackers then took out a procession in the local Rasoi Bazar area and vandalised over 100 shops. They also looted 4-5 gold shops.” He said the attackers vandalised the Loknath temple, causing damages worth up to 20 lakh taka ($16,725.57).
Khokan alleged that the house and family temple of local Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council leader Gour Das were attacked. The local administration, however, downplayed the incident, claiming exaggerated figures and said the attack was not major and “only a few establishments” were damaged. Dowarabazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mehar Nigar Tonu said, “Some houses were attacked and vandalised, but we are yet to confirm how many houses were attacked. The situation is under control now.” Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ilyas Mia said, “Nothing major happened. A vested interest group is deliberately trying to exaggerate the incident. The area is now under the control of the local administration.” It
is noteworthy that attacks on the Hindu community have increased significantly under the army-backed interim government led by Mohammad Yunus. There have been several incidents of mob violence and vandalism, and the law enforcement authorities have responded largely indifferently against the perpetrators. India has called on the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of Hindu and other minority community members and their properties.