‘Brutal violence against minorities, including our tribal brothers in Bangladesh’
Shillong, Dec 14: The protest against atrocities on minorities in crisis-ridden Bangladesh has found its echo in Shillong as hundreds took to the streets in the city on Friday.
The protesters led by All Meghalaya Citizen Conscious Forum (AMCCF) marched from Mawbah point and to Rhino point shouting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” to express their solidarity with the oppressed minorities and protest against the Bangladesh government’s failure to protect them.
A memorandum addressed to Bangladesh interim government’s chief Muhammad Yunus outlining the Forum’s demands will be submitted through deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills, said Raju Paul, convenor of the Forum.
Condemning the acts of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, he said, “Ever since the change of regime which took place in August in Bangladesh, we have seen many incidents of brutal violence against the minorities which includes our tribal brothers who are there.
He pointed out that besides the Hindus, there are other minorities including Christians and Buddhists in Bangladesh.
“They are facing brutal violence by the extremists,” he said.
The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh started with student-led protests against a quota system, which many deemed unfair, and led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister of the country earlier this year.
After Hasina fled the country, the persecution of the minorities in the country failed to stop despite calls from several quarters to stop the atrocities. Due to the continued violence, especially against the Hindus, ties between India and Bangladesh have also been strained.
A surveillance drone, allegedly controlled from Bangladesh soil, was seen near the international border with Meghalaya, causing tension among border residents and the security establishment as well.
