Communal harmony to be protected: Bangladesh HM Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal

As reports of attack on minority Hindus continue to emerge from Bangladesh its home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Monday gave assurance that communal harmony will be protected in his country at any costHe claimed that the violence is aimed at fomenting trouble in his nation with an eye on the next general electionThe neighbouring country is likely to hold its elections in the end of 2023Speaking to PTI over phone Khan Kamal said that an investigation is underway to nab the culprits involved in inciting violence in his countryHe also did not rule out the involvement on the BNPJamaat elements behind the attacksWe have taken stern actions to tackle the situation An investigation is underway none of the culprits would be spared I want to assure you that the communal harmony of our country will be protected at any cost Both the minority and majority communities are citizens of this country and would be protected Khan Kamal saidThe minister asserted that Bangladesh would not let the troublemakers succeed in their missionAlso read 4 dead 16 detained in communal violence in BangladeshThese incidents are aimed at tarnishing the image of our nation and creating tension with an eye on the general election But we wont allow these forces to succeed he saidViolence had erupted in pockets of Bangladesh over an alleged blasphemy incident at a Durga Puja pavilion in Cumilla around 100 km from Dhaka following which paramilitary forces were deployed in many affected areasSporadic clashes however broke out between the police and the bigots as media reported about vandalisation of Hindu temples and Durga puja venuesAt least five persons were killed and scores of others injured in the clashesNoting that hundreds of people have been arrested Khan Kamal further said that four rioters have also been shot dead by the policeNo peaceloving and pious Hindu or Muslim would ever indulge in violence We are not ruling out the involvement of BNPJamaat or any third forces They could be behind those attacks to halt the progress of our country This could also be aimed at disturbing peace before the next elections he maintainedVoicing optimism over the ongoing probe the home minister further said We had asked the puja committees in Cumilla to keep CCTV cameras installed at the pandal and deploy volunteers to keep vigil But that was not doneAllaying Indias concerns over protection of minorities in Bangladesh Khan Kamal said the government is tackling the situation effectively and progress in investigation is expected soonWe think there is no need to be concerned about the minorities here as we are tackling the situation effectively and doing everything possible to protect themSuch attacks on minorities are taking place in other countries too he underlinedAsked if the attacks are related to the renewed rise of fundamentalist forces encouraged by the establishment of Taliban rule in Afghanistan Kamal replied in negativeThis has nothing to do with Taliban rise Afghanistan is over a thousand miles away from Bangladesh and the people of our country are not bothered about it he saidBangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had last week said that action will be taken again those trying to disturb communal harmonyShe also said that the perpetrators will be hunted down and punishedThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA has noted that the government in the neighbouring country has reacted promptly to ensure that the situation was under control and said that the Indian mission is in close contact with the Bangladeshi authorities over the matterThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever