88 lawsuits filed over violence against minorities, 70 arrested: Chief Advisor’s Office

The number of detentions and lawsuits may increase if post-Oct 22 data is available, an official says

The Chief Advisor’s Office, or CAO, has reported a total of 88 lawsuits and 70 arrests for alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh from Aug 5 to Oct 22.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief advisor, disclosed the information at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Tuesday.

At the briefing on contemporary issues, the press secretary said: “The collection and insertion of information about the events after Oct 22 is under way. We will provide details soon and the number of detentions and cases may increase."

Highlighting the incidents of violence in Sunamganj, Chattogram, Dhaka's Turag, and Narsingdi, he said: "Details of each incident will be given. We can provide such information in connection with the minorities on a regular basis."

Sharing details of the lawsuits, the press secretary said as many as 62 cases were initiated according to the information received from the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council. There have been 35 arrests in these cases.

According to the information reported directly to the police, 26 cases have been filed and 35 were detained in the violence on the places of worship and religious sites.

Asked about the political identity of the arrestees, the press secretary said: “No one is arrested for political reasons, only those who are suspected or accused are brought to justice."

The Rohingya issue also came up during the briefing.

Shafiqul said Bangladesh is going to hold an international conference on the Rohingya crisis next year.

Stating that the event is likely to be held in September or October, he said the venue and other issues will be decided in March-April.

"I hope all countries will join this, especially the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, India, China, and all those who are very interested in the Rohingya issue. We have discussed the matter with the UN several times."