Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das is taken away in a police van on Tuesday in Chattogram, southeastern Bangladesh. AFP
Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das is taken away in a police van on Tuesday in Chattogram, southeastern Bangladesh. AFP
Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das is taken away in a police van on Tuesday in Chattogram, southeastern Bangladesh. AFP
Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das is taken away in a police van on Tuesday in Chattogram, southeastern Bangladesh. AFP

Bangladesh arrests six over lawyer's death in unrest sparked by Hindu monk's sedition charge


Taniya Dutta
  • English
  • Arabic

Bangladeshi police have detained six people over the killing of a lawyer during clashes sparked by the arrest of a Hindu monk and community leader charged with sedition.

India expressed “deep concern” over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and urged Bangladesh to protect the country's Hindu minority in the wake of the violence, prompting a rebuke from authorities in Dhaka.

Mr Das, a spokesperson for Hindu religious organisation Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and a leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, was apprehended on Monday. He had been leading rallies demanding security for Hindus in Muslim-dominated Bangladesh and was accused of disrespecting the country’s national flag after hoisting a saffron flag over it. Saffron is a colour associated with radical Hindus.

The monk was detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital Dhaka while travelling to the port city of Chattogram. A court sent him to jail, denying a petition for bail.

His arrest triggered widespread clashes between supporters and police outside the court. A prosecutor was killed in the violence, allegedly by backers of Mr Das, while at least 10 other people were injured. Six suspects in the killing were identified through video footage and arrested, according to a government statement.

Protesters also set fire to houses near the court building in Chattogram, local newspapers said. Arson and looting of homes and businesses belonging to minorities were reported as well as theft, vandalism and desecration of temples.

Police baton-charge protesters in Chittagong on Tuesday. AFP
Police baton-charge protesters in Chittagong on Tuesday. AFP

"We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das," India's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.”

Dhaka called the arrest of Mr Das an “internal matter” and accused New Delhi of “misconstruing” events.

“It is with utter dismay and deep sense of hurt that the government of Bangladesh notes that the arrest of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misconstrued by certain quarters,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It called India's comments “unfounded” and “contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries”.

Dhaka and New Delhi are historical partners but have been at loggerheads since former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi in August following deadly student-led mass protests.

Bangladesh’s interim government leader Muhammad Yunus has sought Ms Hasina’s extradition from India, with whom she maintained good relations while in office. She is now being investigated in Bangladesh for alleged crimes against humanity.

The two nations have an extradition treaty but New Delhi can refuse to return Ms Hasina by citing Article 8 of the agreement, which allows for the rejection of requests that have “not been made in good faith and in the interests of justice”.

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Five hymns the crowds can join in

Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday

Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir

Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium

‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song

‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar

‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion

‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope

The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’

There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia

The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ

They will practice for the first time at the stadium on the eve of the public mass on Monday evening 

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: November 27, 2024, 12:26 PM`