VIOLENCE, vandalism and looting in many places across the country after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5 are shocking and unacceptable. The incidents have left a few dozen dead while many establishments and houses have been burnt. Awami League leaders and the police appear to have been particularly targeted by the mob while miscreants, taking the advantage of the situation, have looted many shops and houses. The mob burnt houses of many Awami League leaders. In Jashore, the mob burnt a hotel owned by the district unit Awami League鈥檚 general secretary. The incident left at least 21 dead. Such vandalism also took place in Barishal, Khulna, Lalmonirhat, Sylhet, Chandpur, Chattogram, Cumilla and some other areas. Besides, police stations and police personnel were attacked in different areas. Mobs, who were understandably aggrieved by the role of the police during the student movement that left about 350 students and people dead, attacked many police stations, leading to clashes. The police shot back at the mob, leaving many wounded and a few dead while a number of police personnel are also reported to have been beaten to death.
There are also reports of attacks on the Hindus, especially those associated with the Awami League, and their houses and property. When it is difficult to separate the attacks on the Hindu community from those on Awami League people and see them as sectarian violence, members of the Hindu community and the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council are apprehensive of sectarian violence. The apprehension is difficult to overlook as there might be elements that could trigger sectarian violence or give the impression of sectarian violence in trying to loot property, as was the case in most attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in the past. What is heartening is that students and people guarded places of worship of religious and ethnic minorities on July 5 and pledged to continue to stand guard as long as necessary. Such collective efforts on part of the people to protect lives, property and places of worship of religious and ethnic minorities are, however, inadequate and the law enforcement agencies, the army that is for now, need to attend to the situation. The fear of such attacks on Awami League leaders and activists was already there when the army chief announced the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. The army chief, in his address, also promised that the army would provide security.
The authorities must, therefore, be proactive and stern, if needed, to end violence and vandalism. As the police are not in a position to do their duty now, other agencies must provide security for vulnerable people and their property. People must also remain alert to any incident of violence and vandalism.
