By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Bangladesh has taken more measures to ensure safety of minorities in the South Asian nation, with official assuring compensation to those affected in recent attacks.
AFM Khalid Hossain, adviser to the transitional government on religious affairs, told reporters that the "miscreants" behind the attacks on religious places and houses of minorities will be brought to justice.
“Although there are isolated incidents, this country is a country of communal harmony. Those who attack minorities are miscreants… Efforts are being made to bring these miscreants to book to ensure punishment,” said Hossain.
Chief advisor Muhammad Yunus will meet the minorities on Tuesday, said Hossain.
Hossain also said that the government was collecting a list of places damaged during the attacks.
“The amount of assistance to the victims will be decided Tuesday,” he added.
According to daily Prothom Alo, such attacks happened in at least 12 districts following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina government on Aug. 5.
Hasina fled to neighboring India after weeks of anti-government protests which resulted in at least 580 deaths since July 16, with 326 such killings in three days between Aug. 4 and 6.
Hossain said the transitional government is also establishing a hotline number to provide immediate security support to the religious minorities.
The ministry has issued letters to Imams, or the Muslim prayer leaders, across the country directing them to speak on religious harmony and rights of minorities during sermons, said the adviser.
Meanwhile, in neighboring India, two members of the right-wing Hindu Raksha Dal allegedly attacked several families of Muslim workers living in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of capital New Delhi, on Friday.
The families were accused of being Bangladeshi nationals.
According to police officials, they arrested two persons in the case, and clarified that the victims were not Bangladeshi citizens.
Notably, India had asked Bangladesh to ensure safety of Hindus living in the country.
*Ahmad Adil from New Delhi contributed to this report