6th January 2014,  Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses grave concern and condemnation over the recent attack on minorities at different places in the country including Chapatola village under Abhaynagar Upazilla of Jessore.

According to different media reports, more than 150 people attacked the Hindu community at Malopara of Chapatala village soon after the 10^th parliamentary election ended on 5 January 2014 and created fear through hurling bombs, vandalising houses as well as setting fire on houses. As a result, people left their homesteads to go in hiding anticipating further attack on them and took shelter on in the temple of Palpara next to that village. It has also been reported that some among the local inhabitants of Malopara were injured severely. In a separate incident, on the same day the miscreants also attacked the Hindu minorities at Kornai village in Dinajpur. They vandalized and set fire to houses and business establishments. Besides, it has been reported that there were attacks on temples at Lalmonirhat and Luxmipur districts and valuables were looted.

ASK considers that these incidents of communal attacks are serious threat to democracy, peace, religious tolerance and harmony. The failure of the administration to bring the situation under control was obvious.

We consider that these inhuman, undemocratic as well as criminal acts should come to an end. We urge the government to take immediate action to stop the recurrence of such incidents and take legal action against the perpetrators.