Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked Bangladesh authorities to provide monetary assistance to the temples, puja mandaps and business establishments of the Hindu community damaged in the attacks by fanatic mobs during the Durga Puja last year. The attacks had taken place in several districts of Bangladesh including Noakhali, Cumilla and Cox’s Bazar districts during the Sharodia Durga Utsob last year.
PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah told the official news agency BSS that the government will hand over cheques for TK 44.75 lakh soon to 31 temples and business houses of the Hindu community from the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund at the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A press release, signed by PM’s Assistant Press Secretary Md. Ashraf Siddiquee Bitu, also said that the Religious Affairs Ministry is also providing similar kinds of assistance to the damaged temples and business houses, reports BSS.
Religious places of the minority Hindu community, business establishments and houses were attacked by mobs during the Durga Puja last year across Bangladesh leading to damage to property and vandalism of temples. The incidents took place after an incident relating to the sacrilege of the holy book took place in one of the Puja mandaps for which the police later arrested a person named Iqbal Hossain who confessed to committing the act.