Hindu temples vandalised in Bangladesh; 11 held

Dhaka, August 9

A group of religious bigots attacked at least four Hindu temples, some shops and households belonging to the minority community in Bangladesh's Khulna district, prompting the authorities to call in the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to assist the police in maintaining law and order. So far, 11 persons have been arrested for their apparent link to the vandalism, Khulna district police chief Mahbub Hossain told reporters. He said the RAB personnel had joined hands with the police to enforce a vigil at the scene at Shiali village of Rupsha sub-district, bordering India.

According to some residents, a group of religious bigots vandalised the idols at four Hindu temples and several shops owned by Hindus on Saturday evening, a day after a row between followers of the two faiths.They said the row erupted when a Hindu procession was passing by a mosque during the “Esha” prayer -- one of the five mandatory Islamic prayers. — PTI