Attacks on minorities need to be stopped: UN

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo has said the recent attacks on Hindus, “fuelled by hate speech” on social media, are against the values of the Constitution and need to be stopped.

“We call upon the government to ensure protection of minorities and an impartial probe,” she tweeted on Monday, calling upon all to join hands to strengthen inclusive tolerance in Bangladesh.

Violence broke out after the reported desecration of the Quran at a Durga Puja mandap in Cumilla on Oct 13, prompting the government to deploy paramilitary forces in 20 districts to fend off further trouble.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) on Saturday claimed attacks by religious fanatics had left at least four people dead and 70 others injured in three days.

At least 70 puja venues, 30 homes and 50 shops were vandalised, torched and looted after an allegation of sacrilege spread on social media, the council said, calling daylong demonstrations for Oct 23 in protest against the attacks.

Police have arrested dozens of people over the attacks and for spreading communal hatred on social media.

Rangpur police chief Biplob Kumar Sarkar said attackers set 30 houses of Hindus on fire, vandalised scores of others and carried out looting on Sunday night.

On Monday, a group of demonstrators, including students of Dhaka University, blockaded the Shahbagh intersection in the capital protesting against the recent communal attacks across the country.