Attacks on Muslims in Tripura after Bangladesh communal riots

Ground Report | New Delhi: Attacks on Muslims in Tripura; Recently, some Hindu temples in Bangladesh were vandalized by unidentified Muslim bigots during the Durga Puja celebrations, prompting the government to deploy paramilitary force in 22 districts after four people were killed and many others injured in riots, media reports said on Thursday, October 14, 2021.

ALSO READ: statewide attacks on mosques homes of Muslims in Tripura

Attacks on Muslims in Tripura

According to these reports, three people were killed during clashes between Muslim bigots and the police at Hajiganj sub-district in Chandpur, bordering Cumilla while the fourth one succumbed to his wounds later while two others were critically injured in the clashes. It was also confirmed that the deaths were caused by gunshots.

Due to this, violence erupted as bigots attacked temples in parts of Cumilla, neighboring Haziganj, northwestern coastal sub-districts of Hatia and Banskhali while social media was used largely to instigate the communal tensions.

Hindu religious leaders called the violence part of a plot to upset the Durga Puja celebrations and demanded action against the bigots and protection of Hindu temples and establishments.

A particular group committed blasphemy at the pavilion to stop the Durga Puja by staging protests, secretary of Cumilla district puja celebration committee Nirmal Pal said.

Ruling Awami League general secretary and road transport minister Obaidul Qader said that "fanatic elements" staged attacks on Hindu temples at 10 to 12 places with a political motive.

Hindus make up some 10 percent of Muslim-majority Bangladesh's 169 million population. In the past several years, there have been reports of sporadic violence, mostly sparked by rumors spread on social media.

ALSO READ: Who is Nafeesa Attari who was fired for celebrating Pakistan's t20

Protests against the Communal Riots in India

In response to this, there were protests in India and around the globe. Members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Saturday staged protests by chanting the 'Hare Krishna' mantra at their international headquarters in West Bengal's Mayapur and 149 temples across the globe against the recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The reason for the protests by the ISKCON was the fact that an ISKCON center in Noakhali District was vandalized, and several people were killed in the violence that erupted over alleged blasphemy at a marquee in Comilla.

Similarly, there were violent protests and attacks were made against Muslims in Tripura last week. According to PTI, Mosques, houses, and businesses were scorched and vandalized during a rally by RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal activists in the state.

“In response to the Bangladesh incident, a well-planned series of attacks are being carried out in Tripura by a Hindutva mob. The SIO and civil societies condemned and sought to establish peace and tranquility in the state,” said a tweet by Sultan, a local activist from Tripura.

Various Muslim organizations have demanded an investigation into the incident and action against the culprits. Meanwhile, the fact that no one has been arrested so far in the violence has led to huge protests.

Violence against Muslims

As per news reports, violence began on Thursday evening, and the attack took place in Agartala, Kailashahar, Udaipur, Krishna Nagar, and Dharmanagar forcing the police to announce a curfew.

Pradyot Manikya, a prominent member of the former royal family of Tripura, condemned the violence and appealed for peace. Manikya is also the leader of the Swadeshi Progressive Regional Alliance. His tweet reads: “Any motivated acts in our state where minorities are attacked as retaliation to what has happened in Bangladesh must be condemned! Please remember Two wrongs don’t make a right …. I appeal for peace amongst all religions in our state.”

On Tuesday evening reports came in the form of a statement by the district Superintendent of police Bhanupada Chakraborty who said that a mosque was vandalized and two shops were set ablaze at Chamtilla area in North Tripura district on Tuesday evening during a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally taken out to protest against recent violence against Hindus in neighboring Bangladesh.

Three houses and a few shops, reportedly owned by members of the minority community, were also ransacked in nearby Rowa Bazar, Chakraborty said. Stone pelting was going on and damage was done to a door of a mosque in the Chamtilla area during the rally. Security forces rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, the SP said.

Apart from the SP, Panisagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Soubhik Dey said that about 3,500 people had taken part in the rally, which was held to protest the communal violence in Bangladesh that broke out earlier this month.

A group of miscreants were active to disrupt communal harmony in the state, the CPI(M) party said condemning the incident and appealed to all sections of the people to maintain peace. BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharya said he is not aware of the incident but appropriate actions should be initiated by the police if anything like this had happened.

You can connect with Ground Report on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Whatsapp. For suggestions and writeups mail us at [email protected]