VHP protests atrocities on religious minorities in Bangladesh , Cachar Admin keeps close vigil to prevent chaos

Silchar, Oct 18: Protesting the recent spells of atrocities on Hindus in several districts across Bangladesh, cadres of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) dakshin Purba pranth took out a rally on Monday.

Over 1000 cadres of VHP and other Hindu organisations were seen in the rally which started from the Subhash Nagar area and roamed across the streets of Silchar with loud cries condemning the attack on Hindu temples and demolition of idols of Devi Durga by miscreants during the recently concluded Durga Puja in Comilla district and also similar incidents of violence in many other districts of the neighbouring country.

Many women cadres of Durga Bahini were also seen demonstrating their anger through messages on placards outside the office of Cachar Deputy Commissioner. Saints and monks from Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Sankar math and other organisations also took part in the protest. Later the VHP leadership including Santanu Naik, president of VHP Dakshin Purba pranth, Purna Chandra Mandal, sangathan mantri of VHP Dakshin Purba pranth and others submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli. Congress legislator from Borkhola Misbahul Islam Laskar and AIUDF district president Shaminul Haque Barbhuiya were present inside the Deputy Commissioner's chamber at the time of submission of the memorandum.

Demanding diplomatic intervention from the Government of India for the safety and security of the Hindus living in Bangladesh, the VHP leaders, in the memorandum mentioned, " the Government of Bangladesh does not seem to be serious about providing security to the terror stricken Hindus in the country. Hence, as a much recognized world leader, we are on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exert diplomatic pressure on the Government of Bangladesh headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or building up international pressure on the said government through the UN Intervention so that Hindus living in that country can live peacefully and enjoy religious liberty."

On the other hand, a meeting was held at the Cachar Deputy Commissioner's office on Sunday night with regard to prevention of communal violence in Cachar district in the wake of recent instances of vandalism of Durga idols and pandals in Bangladesh. Political leaders from different parties including Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty, Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai, Borkhola MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar, Katigorah MLA Khalil Uddin Mazumder, Cachar BJP president Bimalendu Roy, AIUDF district president Shaminul Haque Barbhuiya, Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur, District Development Commissioner Rajib Roy and ADC Dipak Jidung among others were present.The speakers expressed deep concern over the situation in Bangladesh and stressed that the administration should take necessary steps to ensure peace and harmony is maintained in the district.

Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli said that it is necessary to condemn the incidents which have taken place in Bangladesh recently, but strict action will be taken if anyone is found using the issue to cause communal unrest and foment trouble in the district. She appealed to the citizens of the district not to spread or fall prey to any sort of rumours related to the incidents in Bangladesh.

Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur said police are alert and adequate personnel have been deployed across the district to prevent any untoward incident.

Speakers in the meeting were unanimous on the point that a common memorandum should be submitted to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner condemning the violence with Muslim leaders present in the meeting willing to join the scheduled protest rally by the VHP on Monday and submission of the memorandum as a united stand against the violence in Bangladesh.