Attack on Hindus: India tells Dhaka, it's worried

Following the recent attacks on the Hindus in Brahmanbaria and elsewhere in Bangladesh, India has expressed its concern about the safety and security of the community.

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had directed the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to convey to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina India's grave concern about the matter, reports our correspondent in New Delhi.

"I have asked the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to call on the Prime Minister and express our grave concern about the safety and wellbeing of Hindus in Bangladesh," Swaraj Tweeted yesterday.

Asked whether the High Commissioner had got an appointment with Sheikh Hasina, an Indian diplomat in Dhaka yesterday told The Daily Star that “the High Commission of India has already conveyed the concern of the government of India to the government of Bangladesh appropriately.”

Criminals a few days ago set ablaze houses of members of the Hindu faith and also damaged two temples in Brahmanbaria where several places of worship of the minority community were vandalised.

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup had said three days ago that New Delhi has asked Dhaka to ensure safety of people belonging to the Hindu faith and their properties.

Bangladesh's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had said the attacks on several Hindu temples in Bangladesh were carried out under a well orchestrated plan aimed at grabbing land belonging to the minority community.