The US government on Thursday said it is ‘watching closely’ the current developments in Bangladesh where atrocities against minorities, especially Hindus, escalated ever since former PM Sheikh Hasina-led regime toppled on August 5 and the interim government took charge of the South Asian nation.
Speaking on the situation in Bangladesh, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said during a press conference: “The security situation in Bangladesh has been difficult following the ouster of the former prime minister, and we’ve been working closely with the interim government to enhance the capability of their law enforcement and security services to deal with the challenge.”
He said: “We’ve been very clear in our engagement with all Bangladeshi leaders that protection of religious and ethnic minorities is absolutely critical, and the leaders of the interim government have repeatedly committed to providing security to all Bangladeshis, regardless of religion or ethnicity.”
Interim government acknowledges attack on minorities
The Interim government in Bangladesh on Tuesday acknowledged that 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities were reported in the country following the fall of former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.
Interim government head Muhammad Yunus’ press secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed 70 people were arrested in connection with the incidents.
Alam was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune: “A total of 88 cases have been filed in the country regarding communal violence from August 5 to October 22.”
He said: “And 70 people have been arrested so far on charges of involvement in communal attacks.”
Alam said people involved with the incidents will be arrested.
He made the comment a day after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka and met top officials in the neighbouring country and highlighted the issue of the safety of minorities in the Muslim-majority nation.
He raised the issue while meeting his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Touhid Hossain.
This marked the first high-level diplomatic interaction between the two nations ever since the change in guard in Bangladesh.
An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge of the country following her ouster.
During his regime, Bangladesh registered a rise in atrocities against minorities, especially Hindus.
