Title: Thousands protest attacks on Bangla minorities
Author: Morshed Ali Khan
Publication: Times of India
Date: Oct 16, 2001
URL: http://www.timesofindia.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=14528052

CHITTAGONG: Several thousand people protested in Bangladesh Tuesday against attacks on members of the minority Hindu community, witnesses said.

Men, women and children joined the demonstration in the southeastern Bangladesh port city of Chittagong, witnesses said.

Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina Wajed, in a briefing for diplomats and donor agencies in the capital Dhaka, said the attacks continued despite government assurances it would ensure the security of religious minorities.

A coalition group of Hindus, Buddhists and Christians said minorities were being targeted because they were judged to be supporters of the Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, which was defeated in the October 1 general election.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's government has admitted there have been incidents, but said some were "politically motivated, rumours or exaggerated".

The government has said it will make sure Hindus can celebrate the Durga Puja religious festival later this month.

Bangladesh's population is 88 percent Muslim, with the rest Hindu, Buddhist and Christian. ( AFP )