Bangladesh: Police clash with protestors,several injured

Several people including five policemen were injured when police tried to stop a protest in Dhaka on Friday. After the Friday prayers at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area in the capital city, a  large crowd launched a protest march against the reported insult to the Holy Quran in Cumilla on Wednesday. The police tried to stop the slogan shouting mob when it reached a busy intersection of the city. The mob started pelting brickbats on the police which led to police using water cannons and firing blank shots, said the police. Earlier, internet services in Dhaka and several other towns in Bangladesh were restricted from early morning. In Dhaka internet service was not available in many areas since morning. The services resumed in Dhaka and other towns late in the afternoon. Fresh incidents were reported from Chattogram where a Puja mandap was attacked on Friday. Police fired blank bullets to disperse the mob and arrested several people in connection with the incident. Another incident was reported from Chaumuhani in Noakhali district. In Noakhali ISKCON templs was also attacked.

ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical.

We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice. pic.twitter.com/ZpHtB48lZi

— ISKCON (@iskcon) October 15, 2021

The local puja committee and other organizations resorted to sit in protest against the attack. Secretary General of the The Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council Advocate Rana Dasgupta said  that a half-day strike will be observed on Saturday in Chattogram against the vandalism there and other places in Bangladesh. He expressed disappointment on the recurrence of violence on Friday at several places despite strong warning issued by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday.