Violence spreads across Bangladesh; ten killed, Hindu temples attacked

Deadly clashes between members of Islamist organizations and government forces spread across Bangladesh on Sunday as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to the country. Anger swelled in the streets after almost ten people got killed in police firing on Friday and Saturday. Hefazat-e-Islam, a hardline Islamist organization that remains at the forefront of protests against the Modi’s visit, had called for a one-day nationwide strike on Sunday. Daily Star reported many instances of clashes, firing, arson, and torching vehicles in capital Dhaka and the country’s eastern part.

Several Hindu temples in Brahmanbaria, a town in the eastern part with a significant Hindu population, were attacked, Reuters reported. “Brahmanbaria is burning. Various government offices were set on fire indiscriminately. Even the press club was attacked and many injured, including the press club president. We are in extreme fear and feeling really helpless,” Javed Rahim, a journalist in the Brahmanbaria town was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Trains, buses, and government buildings were also set on fire by protesters. They also put up burning tires on roads and blocked Dhaka-Chittagong highways. Because of protests, people avoided their private vehicles on Dhaka roads, reported Dhaka Tribune. However, transporters and the ruling Awami league defied the protests. “The Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association has rejected the strike and announced to run buses in the capital. Long-distance buses also left and entered Dhaka defying the strike,” reports say.

Islamists in Bangladesh often clash with the Hasina government. Earlier, the government has prosecuted and sentenced many Islamist and radical leaders to prison and to death by hanging.

Other Islamist groups like Islamic Andolan Bangladesh and Jamaat-e-Islami have extended their support to the strike.