76.74% of minority attacks political in nature, 1.24% communal: Police report

After subtracting the 161 false claims, 76.74% of the remaining allegations of attacks on minorities during and after political changeover in August last year are found to be political in nature, according to a police probe report.  

The report shared by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing today (11 January), reads, "1,234 incidents were political in nature, and 20 incidents were communal. At least 161 claims were found to be false or untrue." 

The government has also announced that it will compensate the victims, the report mentioned, adding that the interim government attaches the highest importance to the establishment of human rights in the country, irrespective of creed, colour, ethnicity, sex, or gender.  

"The interim government has a zero-tolerance policy towards any communal attacks in the country. Police have been ordered to arrest the culprits," the report stated.  

In September, the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Unity Council claimed that a total of 1,769 communal attacks and acts of vandalism against minorities took place in Bangladesh from 4-20 August. 

These attacks, acts of vandalism, and incidents of looting reportedly included 2,010 incidents involving the lives, properties, and places of worship of minority communities.

On 5 August, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid a bloody mass uprising.  

'Rather political'

The police report said the Bangladesh Police has collected the list of allegations prepared by the council. Police have communicated with the individuals and authorities claimed to have been targets of the violence. They have also visited every location, establishment, and individual mentioned in the council's report.  

Of the 1,769 allegations, police have so far registered 62 cases based on the merits of the claims. At least 35 culprits have been arrested following the investigations, according to the police report.  

"It was found that in the majority of cases, the attacks were not communally motivated but rather political in nature," the report reads.  

"According to the council's claims, 1,452 incidents – or 82.8% of the total claims – occurred on 5 August 2024, when Hasina was ousted from power. At least 65 incidents took place on 4 August, and 70 incidents occurred on 6 August, according to the council – a copy of which has been obtained by police," the report added. 

The CA press wing did not mention incidents other than political or communal in nature.

In addition to the minority organisation's claims, police have received 134 allegations of communal violence from 5 August through 8 January 2025, the report said.  

"Police responded to all those complaints with utmost priority. At least 53 cases have been filed regarding those complaints, and a total of 65 offenders have been arrested," it stated.  

In total, since 4 August, 115 cases have been registered concerning complaints of communal attacks, and at least 100 people have been arrested, according to the police.