Killings in Hindu Buddhist council’s report not connected to communal violence, stem from other factors: CA Press Wing

Preliminary investigations by police indicate that the killings of members of 11 religious and ethnic minority communities in first two months of this year, as mentioned in the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council's report, were not connected to communal violence, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing said today (25 March).

In a statement, the press wing stated that these tragic deaths occurred at the hands of "troublemakers, driven by a variety of factors such as prior enmity, theft, domestic disputes, and reckless behaviour".

It also said information gathered from field units suggests that the council's claims misrepresent the actual situation.

The statement provided specific examples to illustrate that these deaths resulted from individual circumstances rather than targeted communal violence.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council in a press release recently claimed that 11 people were killed in a total of 92 incidents of violence targeting "minorities and indigenous people" in January and February of this year.

The press wing criticised the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council for repeatedly making misleading claims about minority abuse. 

It accused the council of distorting facts and failing to correct misinformation when confronted with evidence.

The statement emphasised the importance of addressing such issues with care, ensuring that facts are not manipulated to serve particular agendas.

"As we continue to strive for peace and harmony, it is vital to distinguish between the various causes of violence and to work together towards a solution that fosters unity rather than division," it added.