Dhaka:
A lawyer was allegedly killed in a clash that broke out in Bangladesh’s port city of Chittagong on Tuesday over the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, lawyers said. Chittagong Bar Association President Nazim Uddin Chaudhary told ANI over phone, “Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was murdered in Chittagong.” However, the reason behind his murder is not yet clear.
Court activities will remain closed today
Chittagong Bar Association general secretary Ashraf Hussain Razzaq said, “Saiful Islam Arif was brutally murdered.” Razzaq said, “Chittagong Bar Association has decided that due to this, court activities will be postponed as a protest on Wednesday.”
Law enforcement agencies on high alert
Amidst the tension in Chittagong, law enforcement agencies across the country are on high alert. Bangladesh has deployed additional security forces in Chittagong and the capital Dhaka. Thousands of people are present in the court premises in Chittagong and are demanding the release of Chinmay, who is a Hindu priest.
People demonstrated on the orders of the court
The protesters stopped the jail van after the court rejected his bail plea and ordered him to be sent to jail. Police and other law enforcement agencies fired tear shells and sound grenades to drive them out. Eyewitnesses said that after a two-hour clash, Chinmoy Brahmachari was taken to jail.
Minority leader said this
A minority leader said, “A case of treason has been registered against Chinmay, in which he has been accused of hoisting the flag above the national flag of Bangladesh. But the person who has filed the case is now linked to this case.” No. Now he has not agreed to continue the matter.”
BHBCUC expressed concern
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), the largest minority group in Bangladesh, on Tuesday expressed concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Brahmachari. The group condemned the atrocities and demanded their immediate release from the interim government. BHBCUC acting general secretary Manindra Kumar Nath said, “We strongly condemn the arrest of Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jot spokesperson Prabhu Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari from Dhaka airport area on Monday afternoon.” “This arrest will damage Bangladesh’s international image of freedom of expression and human rights across the world,” he told ANI. Nath said Hindu saint Chinmoy Krishna Das is organizing the Hindu community to put forth “8-point demands” for the celibate minority.
Priest was arrested from Dhaka airport
Members of the minority community protested across Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, soon after the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das by Bangladeshi authorities at Dhaka airport. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim Bangladesh government, condemned the killing of a lawyer in the port city of Chittagong.
