Minority group condemns attack on Hindu houses, business establishments in Sunamganj

"On the night of December 3, 2024, more than 100 houses and business establishments of the Hindu community were attacked, vandalized and looted in Manglargaon and Monigaon East Gunigram of Sunamganj’s Doarabazar. Doara Bazar Loknath Temple was heavily damaged in the attack. The amount of loss is at least 15 lakh taka. The residence and family temple of Guru De, president of the local Upazila Puja Udjakar Parishad, were also heavily damaged in the attack. There is deep terror among the local minority villagers in this incident. Many have gone elsewhere including Sylhet out of fear," the group said in a statement as quoted by ANI.

“The attack was carried out by the communal miscreants for several hours against the local Hindus after accusing Akash Das, the 20-year-old son of Prafulla Das of Manglargaon village who had already been arrested for insulting religion on his Facebook post," the statement said.

“Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad strongly condemns and protests such communal attacks and immediately arrests the attackers, compensates and rehabilitates the victims and the attackers”, the press statement said.

A mob vandalised Hindu businesses and houses in Bangladesh's Sunamganj amid an allegation that a community member hurt Muslim sentiments by posting a derogatory image on Facebook, media reports said.

The latest vandalisation occurred at a time when Hindus were protesting against the arrest of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in the country.

The detained Hindu person was identified as 21-year-old Akash Das.

He belonged to Manglargaon village.

The army later reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

There has been a rise in attacks on Hindu community members even since former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government toppled, leading to Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus to take charge of the interim government.

The communal tension allegedly increased during the current regime after Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested in Chittagong over sedition charges.