Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, BHBCUC has reported that 174 attacks on religious minorities occurred across Bangladesh over the last four and a half months, resulting in 23 deaths.
This data was compiled from various media outlets, covering the period from 21st August to 31st December of the previous year.
The council revealed these figures during a press briefing in Dhaka on Thursday, titled ‘Press Conference Against Existing Communal Violence and Disparity.’
The report also highlighted several alarming incidents, including nine cases of sexual violence and rape, 64 attacks on places of worship, 15 arrests and assaults over alleged blasphemy, 38 incidents of vandalism, looting, and arson targeting homes and businesses, and 25 cases of forced land and property seizures.
In a written statement, BHBCUC Acting General Secretary Manindra Kumar Nath stated that the majority of these attacks took place in rural areas. In some instances, entire families were targeted.
The council also noted that it was unable to gather data from field-level activists this time, as they too have faced intimidation and attacks.
Activists have reportedly been subjected to fake charges, the BHBCUC added.
by