Rights groups, noted citizens and cultural organisations have condemned violent attacks being perpetrated targeting Hindus in different parts of the country following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on Monday afternoon in the face of a mass movement of students, citizens and opposition parties.
They also demanded immediate steps to protect the religious minorities and bring the attackers to justice.
In statements issued on Wednesday, they described the attacks targeting Hindu homes, businesses, and temples as an "evil attempt to destroy communal harmony".
Earlier, the United Nations, the European Union, and international rights bodies condemned the ongoing violence, which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people supporting the Awami League, vandalism, looting, and arson. Among the minority communities, houses, businesses, and religious centres of the Hindus, Buddhists, and Ahmadiyyas have been attacked in around 30 districts.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the army chief, Chief Adviser nominee Dr Muhammad Yunus, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have condemned the attacks, asking the police to take stern action against the anarchists. The students who led the uprising urged people to form teams and guard the Hindu temples in many parts of Bangladesh on Monday night.
Some people, however, claim the attacks are an outburst of the former premier's misdeeds.
In Jessore, the warehouse of Babul Saha, chairman of Bhagarpara's Narikelbaria, was attacked and looted, while 22 shops of the Hindu community there were looted, and several houses were vandalised and plundered.
Meanwhile, fear gripped the Hindu community in Bejpara Banani road of the Jessore district town after several houses were looted and vandalized.
The vandalism and attack took place on Monday night. At least 200 Hindu families live in the area, locals said. People from every house are now guarding the area at night, they added.
During a visit on Wednesday, it was seen that Gobinda Saha, a resident of the area, was cleaning the broken window panes in front of his house, which were vandalized on Monday night.
He said that around 20-25 miscreants attacked their houses with machetes and sticks around 9:30pm on Monday.
“All of us in the family gathered inside the house and watched everything through the window. Around 10 people tried to break the main gate of my house. Later, they smashed the window glass with a brick,” he narrated.
Biplab Kundu, a tenant of Shankar Kumar Mallick's house, said: "After the attack on houses, we are keeping watch at night. Both men and women are having sleepless nights in fear.”
Govinda Saha said: "On information, three army patrol vehicles visited the spot. Activists of BNP and Jamaat had come to assure us of their support at night. Still, we cannot feel safe.”
Additionally, the house of one Lakshmi Rani was also attacked and ornaments were looted on Monday night.
Locals said a group of 20 to 25 people entered the house at around 9pm and carried out vandalism inside the house.
They snatched away a necklace from Lakshmi Rani’s neck and beat up her father when he protested.
Meanwhile, a group of miscreants with national flags tied on their heads and sticks in their hands attacked and looted a computer store belonging to one Parthapratim Nath, son of Mohit Kumar Nath, president of Jessore Sadar Upazila Awami League.
At that time, miscreants looted computers, laptops, air-conditioners, routers, and other material from the shop.
Regarding law and order, Jessore Superintendent of Police Masud Alam said there is nothing to panic about. “Police are alert to prevent any further attacks. The force has started to bring the law and order situation under control along with the members of the society,” said the SP.
Our correspondent Tauhid Zaman from Jessore contributed to the report
