Author:
Publication: The Times of India
- Internet Edition
Date: October 17, 2001
URL: http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=14528052
CHITTAGONG: Several thousand people
protested in Bangladesh Tuesday against attacks on members of the minority
Hindu community, witnesses said.
Men, women and children joined the
demonstration in the southeastern Bangladesh port city of Chittagong, witnesses
said.
Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina
Wajed, in a briefing for diplomats and donor agencies in the capital Dhaka,
said the attacks continued despite government assurances it would ensure
the security of religious minorities.
A coalition group of Hindus, Buddhists
and Christians said minorities were being targeted because they were judged
to be supporters of the Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, which was defeated
in the October 1 general election.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's government
has admitted there have been incidents, but said some were "politically
motivated, rumours or exaggerated".
The government has said it will
make sure Hindus can celebrate the Durga Puja religious festival later
this month.
Bangladesh's population is 88 percent
Muslim, with the rest Hindu, Buddhist and Christian.
(AFP)
