Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS) organized a human chain in banner of Citizen Group on 2 October protesting communal attack and atrocities against the Budhdhist community of Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong District. A number of organizations joined the protest held in front of National Press Club. They demanded arrest and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators, compensation to the victims, and security to the minorities.
Presided by Rokeya Kabir, the protest was addressed by Dr. Hamida Hossain, Comrade Kkalequzzaman, Tariq Ali, Numan Ahmed Khan and representatives from Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Adivasi Adhikar Andalon, Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB), Equity BD, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, Heed Bagladesh and other civil society groups.
Earlier on 1 October, mobs torched and vandalized a village of Buddhists in Cox's Bazaar's Ramu Upazila early on Sunday in one of the worst religious attacks in Bangladesh apparently triggered by a Facebook posting allegedly defaming Islam. The assailants set fire to seven Buddhist temples and nearly 20 homes and looted and damaged more than a hundred others in the hate attack. The media and observers said in unison that the incident was pre-planned.
