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TL;DR
- A crude bomb was thrown at a Durga Puja mandap in Old Dhaka’s Tantibazar, causing a minor fire but no injuries from the explosion.
- Five people were injured in a subsequent knife attack while trying to catch the attackers.
- Police detained three individuals linked to the incident, initially suspecting a mugging motive, though local leaders claim it was to incite chaos.
- The attack is part of a series of violent incidents against Hindu sites during Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh.
In a disturbing incident that has heightened tensions in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a crude bomb was thrown at a Durga Puja mandap in the Tantibazar area of Old Dhaka on Friday evening. The attack, which occurred around 7:00 PM, involved a petrol-filled glass bottle being hurled at the religious site, causing a minor fire but no injuries from the explosion itself. However, the situation escalated when five individuals were injured in a subsequent knife attack as they attempted to apprehend the assailants.
The victims of the knife attack, identified as Deepta Dey, Jhantu Dhar, Khokon Dhar, Sagar Ghosh, and Mohammed Ramiz Uddin, were taken to Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital for treatment. The incident has sparked significant concern among the Hindu community in Bangladesh, which constitutes about 8% of the nation’s population of nearly 170 million.
Local police have detained three individuals in connection with the attack. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik stated that the incident was linked to a mugging attempt. However, Bijoy Shah, General Secretary of the Tantibazar Puja Celebration Committee, refuted this claim, asserting that the bomb attack and mugging were separate events intended to create chaos.
The attack is part of a broader pattern of violence against Hindu religious sites during the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh. This festival is one of the largest Hindu religious events in the country and has been marred by multiple incidents of vandalism and violence this year. The Indian government has expressed serious concern over these attacks, urging Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of its minority Hindu population.
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobelate Muhammadus since August, faces mounting pressure to maintain public order and protect minority communities amid these tensions. The incidents have been seen as a critical test of its ability to safeguard minorities during significant cultural and religious events.
The Hindu community in Bangladesh continues to call for stronger protective measures and justice for those affected by these attacks. As investigations continue, there is an urgent demand for accountability and assurance that such incidents will not recur during future celebrations.
Source: Prothom Alo
