Bangladesh Election Commission
“We have asked the law enforcement agencies to specially resist attacks on minority communities in different parts of the country in the wake of the January 5 parliamentary election,” said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.
Ahmad issued the order during a meeting with security agencies on maintaining law and order during re-polling in eight constituencies on January 16.
Members of the minority community were attacked by workers of the main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its right-wing ally Jamaat-e-Islami in Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh and Jessore districts both before and after the polls.
Reports said Hindus were targeted by Opposition activists for backing the Awami League which swept the polls following a boycott by the BNP-led opposition alliance.
The Opposition activists torched, vandalized and looted homes, businesses establishments and shops of Hindus.
On Tuesday, unidentified men reportedly raped two Hindu women at gun point in front of their relatives for casting their votes in Jessore.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised stern action against those responsible for attacks on minorities. She on Friday blamed her arch-rival BNP chief Khaleda Zia for the violence against Hindus.
The government decided this week to set up special tribunals under an anti-terror law to punish the perpetrators of violence against Hindus.