Vested quarter instigated violence for self-interest

A vested quarter instigated violence on the Hindu community during and following the Durga Puja celebrations for their own interests, Law Minister Anisul Huq said yesterday.

"Investigations have revealed that an insidious quarter has created chaos during [Durga] Puja celebrations to materialise their own and [political] party interests," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a rally in Brahmanbaria's Akhaura, reports our Brahmanbaria correspondent.

The rally was organised by the local upazila administration to mark the reception of two life support ambulances gifted by the Indian government. The ambulances will be allocated for the 250-bed Brahmanbaria General Hospital and Akhaura Upazila Health Complex.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami attended the event as guest of honour.

In his remarks as chief guest, the law minister said there were 580 pavilions in Brahmabaria district during this year's Durga Puja but none faced any untoward incident.

He added Bangladesh will always uphold secularism and never tolerate communal politics.

Meanwhile, addressing an interfaith dialogue in Noakhali's Chowmuhani on Thursday night, State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan said the

violence carried out in the district could not have been done by any individual belonging to any religion, as no religion allows communal attacks and vandalism.

The dialogue was organised following the state minister's visit to establishments of the Hindu Community that came under attack during the violence, reports our Noakhali correspondent.

The state minister also visited houses of two people killed during the communal attacks and handed Tk 50,000 cheques to each of the families.

He said the attack was also carried out to derail the government's development activities and bar the ruling party from participating in the next general election.

He urged people to assist the local administration to arrest the perpetrators and ensure their punishment.