Punishment for B’baria mayhem culprits a must: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today warned that the culprits behind attacks on the people of Hindu community in Brahmanbaria must be punished as the government is in a tough position against the attackers.

"Punishment of the attackers is a must as the Sheikh Hasina-led government has taken a tough position to this end," Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said at a programme of Garo community in Dhaka's Banani area.

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Calling upon the people of Hindu community not to treat themselves as a minority group, the minister said that the government is with them.

He said that the people from all castes, colours and creeds will enjoy equal rights in the country. 

On October 30, a group of religious zealots carried out a synchronised attack on the Hindus, vandalising around 100 homes and temples and looting their valuables, including cash, gold ornaments and idols, television and mobile phones. The two-hour mayhem followed a Facebook post from the account of a local fisherman, "hurting the religious sentiment" of the Muslims.

Two cases were later filed against 1,200 unnamed people with the local police station in connection with the incident.