Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina has sent out a stern warning to the ‘fundamentalist’, who are suspected to be behind the attacks on puja pandals and temples in Bangladesh during the Durga Puja festivities. 

Sending out a stern warning to the perpetrators of “communal violence”, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said that all those who were involved in the violence will be taken to task and none will be spared. 

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Hasina said that those involved in orchestrating and attacking temples and Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh will be taken to task irrespective of their religion. 

“The incidents in Cumilla are being thoroughly investigated. None involved in the disturbing communal harmony will be spared. They will be hunted down and severely punished, irrespective of which religion they belong to,” Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina said. 

The Bangladesh Prime Minister made this remark while attending Durga Puja festivities virtually at the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka on Thursday. 

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Also read: Communal tension grips Bangladesh as Durga Puja pandals ‘attacked, vandalise’ 

She further termed the incidents of attacks on temples and vandalization of Durga Puja pandals as “very unfortunate”. 

“Exemplary punishment will be given to those found guilty of disturbing communal harmony in the country and set an example, so that no one dares to engage in such activities in the future again,” the Bangladesh Prime Minister added. 

Communal tensions have been on the rise in Bangladesh after workers of the radical Islamist group – Jamaat-e-Islami allegedly vandalised Durga puja pandals at several locations across the country.  

The puja pandals were allegedly attacked by the JEI workers over the alleged desecration of the Quran in Cumilla, southeast of Dhaka. 

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Violence erupted after news spread on social media that the Quran was allegedly desecrated at a Durga Puja pandal near Nanuar Dighi lake in Cumilla town.  

Incidents of vandalism were also reported from temples in Chandpur’s Hajiganj, Chattogram’s Banshkhali and Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua.  

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government has ordered a probe into the matter and urged people to exercise restraint and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.