Bangladesh EC asks authorities to prevent attacks on Hindus

Dhaka, Jan 11: Bangladesh's Election Commission on Saturday directed law enforcement agencies to tighten security across the country to prevent attacks on minorities, specially Hindus.

"We have asked the law enforcement agencies to specially resist attacks on minority communities in different parts of the country in the wake of the January 5 parliamentary election," said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.

Ahmad issued the order during a meeting with security agencies on maintaining law and order during re-polling in eight constituencies on January 16. The law enforcers were well prepared to prevent such attacks, he was quoted as saying by The Daily Star newspaper.

Members of the minority community were attacked by workers of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its right-wing ally Jamaat-e-Islami in Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Jessore districts both before and after the polls.

Reports: Hindus were targeted by opposition activists for backing Awami League

Reports said Hindus were targeted by opposition activists for backing the Awami League which swept the polls following a boycott by the BNP-led opposition alliance.

The opposition activists torched, vandalised and looted homes, businesses establishments and shops of Hindus. On Tuesday, unidentified men raped two Hindu women at gun point in front of their relatives for casting their votes in Jessore, The Daily Star reported.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised stern action against those responsible for attacks on minorities. She on Friday blamed her arch-rival BNP chief Khaleda Zia for the violence against Hindus. The government decided this week to set up special tribunals under an anti-terror law to punish the perpetrators of violence against Hindus.

PTI