Police in Bangladesh have responded to the ongoing communal violence and the allegations made since August 2024, as stated in a release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Saturday.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Unity Council has documented a total of 1,769 communal attacks and acts of vandalism aimed at minorities, including 2,010 incidents that involve the lives, properties, and places of worship of these minority groups.
In reaction, Bangladesh police have compiled the allegations noted by the Council and have reached out to those purported to be victims of the violence. The police have visited all the sites, establishments, and individuals referenced in the Council’s report. Victims have been encouraged to submit complaints, and the police have guaranteed the security of those implicated. Regular cases, general diaries, and other legal proceedings have been initiated based on the outcome of the investigation.
From the 1,769 allegations, the police have filed 62 cases. To date, 35 individuals have been detained in connection with these investigations. The police discovered that the majority of the attacks were not motivated by communal issues, but were primarily politically motivated. The investigation showed that 1,234 incidents were politically related, 20 were communal, and 161 claims were determined to be false.
The Council asserted that 1,452 incidents, or 82. 8% of the total, took place on August 5, 2024, the day Prime Minister Hasina was ousted from power. Furthermore, there were 65 incidents on August 4 and 70 on August 6, 2024. In addition to these claims, police have also received 134 reports of communal violence from August 5 to January 8, 2025. The police have addressed all these complaints with the highest priority, registering 53 cases and apprehending 65 offenders.
Since August 4, 115 cases have been registered regarding accusations of communal violence, resulting in at least 100 arrests. The Interim Government of Bangladesh has declared that it adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding communal violence and has instructed police to detain the offenders. Victims are also assured of compensation. The government underscores the importance of protecting human rights for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or gender.
To assist with complaints, the police have established a WhatsApp number and maintain ongoing communication with leaders from the minority communities. The National Emergency Services 999 has been linked with a police focal point whenever a communal violence allegation is reported to the Helpline. Police have stressed the importance placed on investigating all such allegations.
