Govt incited violence: Khaleda

Govt incited violence: Khaleda Mon, Oct 1st, 2012 1:35 am BdST

Dhaka, Sep 30 (bdnews24.com)— BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday blamed 'government patronisation' for the communal violence at Cox's Bazar's Ramu Upazila. She made the allegation in a media release on Sunday night. "We have learned the incident of taking out procession and launching the attack in the darkness of night, centring a Facebook post to defame Islam, had been organised. Local leaders of the government party led those acts carried out in the name of aggrieved locals. That's why the law enforcers could not take timely action," she said. "I believe the incident would not have taken place if the administration and law-enforcing agencies stepped in on time. It is very important to find out the reason behind their negligence," Khaleda went on. Religious zealots set ablaze temples and houses of the Buddhist minorities after looting them over a Facebook post allegedly defaming Quran was ascribed to a Buddhist youth. The mayhem that continued from 11:30pm on Saturday saw torching of seven Buddhist Viharas, around 30 houses and shops alongside looting of a hundred other houses and shops. On Sunday evening, fanatics attacked Buddhist and Hindu houses and temples at Ukhiya, Patia and Teknaf. Khaleda urged all to maintain communal harmony and resist any further attempt to upset it. She thanked the local leaders of her party for their "efforts to end the crisis" after violence erupted. The opposition chief urged the government to protect life, property and dignity of minority people and demanded a fair investigation to put the culprits on trial. bdnews24.com/sm/eh/bd/2349h