Attack on Buddhists
Find real culprits to avoid politicisation
Says NHRC chief
The government must find the real culprits behind the September 30 attack on Buddhist populated areas in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong to discourage politicisation of the issue, said NHRC Chairman Mizanur Rahman yesterday.
In Cox's Bazar, violent mobs torched and vandalised 12 Buddhist temples and monasteries and over 50 houses of Ramu upazila and torched two monasteries of Ukhia and five houses of Teknaf upazila.
Some miscreants also vandalised two monasteries and a Hindu temple in Chittagong's Patiya upazila.
“The state has to stand against communalism to ensure citizen's rights because the gruesome attack was carried out not only against the Buddhist community but also against the democratic government of Bangladesh,” he said.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman was addressing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NHRC and Oxfam, an international development organisation, in the NHRC office in the capital.
On an NHRC team's observation during its October 5 visit to the spots of violence, he said NHRC will recommend some suggestions to the government regarding arrest of and punishment to the perpetrators.
He warned that no innocent person should be arrested and harassed only to increase the number of arrests.
Mizanur reiterated that the attack was preplanned to fulfill a “blueprint”. “The attack would not be possible without help from local influential quarters and prior knowledge of intelligence agencies and the local administration.”
During the attack, Muslim households remained untouched while the Buddhist community's households and valuables, including Buddha's golden statues, were looted, he said.
He said the commission received allegations that fire fighters were not allowed to reach the spots on time.
On Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's expected visit to Ramu today, he said, “I am hopeful that her visit will help the community regain its confidence.”
Earlier, he also sought media assistance to establish people's rights.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments