Bangladesh is currently with no administration following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the interim government yet to take charge. The country is grappling with vandalism, violence and arson, which have strained its internal security system.
According to reports, approximately 500 people lost their lives in Bangladesh between Sunday and Tuesday. On Tuesday, the bodies of 29 Awami League leaders and their family members were recovered from across Bangladesh.
Minority communities have also been targeted by angry mobs across the country. Mobs have desecrated national properties, including the Prime Minister's residence, chief justice's residence, police stations and murals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. People have been burned alive and lynched to death in many regions of the country.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), a non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in the country, reported that Hindu residences, businesses, and temples were targeted, looted, and vandalized across 29 districts of Bangladesh.
Civil society members, intellectuals and eminent personalities condemned the brazen violence and attacks on the symbols that represent the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
In response to the recent violence and vandalism across Bangladesh, a group of students and ordinary citizens have stepped forward to restore normalcy and address the law and order situation in the country. Citizens are maintaining vigilance in front of places of worship belonging to minority communities to safeguard them from potential attacks. Notably, a group of students and local residents provided security at the Sri Sri Bura Shibbari temple in Sylhet’s Habibganj district throughout the night on Monday.
In addition, local residents were also seen safeguarding temples in various regions of Bangladesh, including Comilla, Noakhali, and Barishal.
“Attacks on minorities are very disappointing. We did not expect this. That’s why we are seeing incidents of violence and attacks on minorities,” said Md. Moajjam Hossain, a coordinator of Students Against Discrimination, the group which led the anti-Hasina movement.
“Key positions of power in government are lying empty resulting in lack of governance. That’s why students and local people across Bangladesh have formed groups and committees to ensure peace in their locality,” he added.
After more than 400 police stations were attacked, vandalised and looted, most of the police officials have stopped working in fear. In a press release on Tuesday, the Bangladesh Police Association declared an indefinite strike.
In such a scenario, students stepped in to operate the vacant traffic signals and key intersections in the congested Dhaka city. Reportedly, they are also checking vehicles to retrieve materials that were looted from Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s residence, on Monday. If found, the items are being handed over to the Army for their restoration.
Besides, the students were also undertaking a cleanliness drive of the streets. They were joined by members of several religious and social organisations.
