Bangladesh : Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad today said 45 people were killed in 1,045 incidents of communal violence between July 2023 and June 2024. The organisation released these findings in its latest report at a press briefing titled, “Report launching on torture and persecution of religious-ethnic minorities in Bangladesh in the past year” at Jatiya Press Club on July 8.

While reading out the written statement, Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of the organisation, said from July 2023 to June 2024, 10 people were targeted in attempted killings in various incidents of communal violence, 36 people were threatened with death, and 479 people were physically tortured during this period.

There were 102 incidents of attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson on the houses and businesses of minority communities, he said, adding that there were 47 incidents of encroachment on houses and lands. Additionally, 45 incidents of grabbing houses and lands, attempted evictions, and threats were reported.

There were also 11 cases of threats or attempts to force people to leave the country, 15 cases of grabbing or attempting to grab temples and churches, seven cases of grabbing or attempts to grab cremation grounds, 94 incidents of attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson, and 40 cases of vandalism and attempted destruction of idols, he informed during the briefing.

He added that there were also 12 cases of kidnapping, disappearance, and forced conversion, while eight people were arrested on fictitious charges of defamation of religion. Over the period, 32 incidents of communal violence took place during the national elections and five during local government elections, he said, citing the report.

“This statistic is merely a part of the communal violence,” he said, adding that a comparative review of communal violence over the past years shows that the incidents of violence have not changed much even today.

“In such a prevailing communal situation, it is noticeable that since the election period of 1970, the minority population decreased from 19 per cent to 8.6 per cent now,” Dasgupta said.The environment for the free practice of religion has been completely curtailed, he added.

“The communal evil forces, which are hiding in the administrative and political fields, did not allow the religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous people of this country to ensure their land rights,” he observed.

Replying to a query, Rana Dasgupta said there was still a culture of impunity for the criminals. “The religious minority groups are still in fear. Their fate has not changed. They have no security for their lives,” he said.

He alleged that the Awami League government had not implemented its commitments towards minorities pledged in their previous election manifesto, including the formation of a National Minority Commission.