Fundamentalists involved in temple attack : Minister

VOL 20 NO 157 REGD NO DA 1589 | Dhaka, Tuesday, October 02 2012

Fundamentalists involved in temple attack : Minister

Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir said Monday he suspected those involved in torching and wrecking Buddhist temples and homes in Cox's Bazaar's Ramu Upazila were members of local and international fundamentalist organisations, report agencies.

Alamgir spoke about his belief after a meeting he had at his office with the leaders of Bangladesh Bouddha Samaj Surokkha Committee (the Committee to protect Buddhist Society).

"We suspect those who have done this are linked with local and international fundamental organisations. They used gun powder for setting off fire. They had brought petrol and kerosene with them too. The incident would not have unfolded this way unless it was pre-planned and without support from local and foreign organisations," Alamgir told reporters.

Sunday, he alleged the local BNP MP supported the hate attacks on the Buddhist village. Alamgir said the 16-strong team of Buddhist leaders was thankful to him for his 'prompt action against the attackers'.

According to him, the 166 people police arrested from Cox's Bazaar and Chittagong following the attack were fundamentalists and their associates.

Meanwhile, over 2,000 people were sued in Chittagong and 58 arrested in Cox's Bazar Monday in connection with Sunday's communal violence in Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar that also spread to Chittagong.

In Chittaong, two cases were filed against 76 identified and about 2,000 unidentified people on charge of arson attacks on the Buddhist and Hindu temples in Patiya upazila.