Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) has expressed concern over clashes and casualties in Panchagarh following attempts to stop an annual religious event of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at on Friday.
In a statement on Saturday, the minority group demanded the arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.
Presidents of the council's central committee Ushaton Talukder, Dr Nim Chandra Bhowmik and Nirmal Rozario, General Secretary Rana Das Gupta issued the statement. They asked the government to ensure proper treatment, compensation and rehabilitation of the affected people.
The BHBCUC observed that the government's compromising policy had worsened the situation and recurrence of such incidents would jeopardise the country's image worldwide.
At least two people have died and over 50 others, including police and journalists, sustained injuries in the clashes that began after Jummah prayers and continued for around eight hours. The mob also vandalized and looted several homes of the Ahmadiyya community in Ahmednagar area. Police later closed down the programme.
