A series of steps have been taken by both the government and the ruling Awami League to rehabilitate the victims of communal violence to boost their confidence and ensure security for them.
A total of 102 cases were filed accusing 20,619 people in connection with the violence against the Hindu community. So far 583 were arrested as part of the ongoing drive against offenders.
Cash assistance, foods, cloths, other essential commodities and house construction materials have been provided to the affected families by the government and the party.
Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared that houses would be made for the affected families. “Steps have already been taken in this regard,” she said while addressing a virtual programme on the day.
In order to restore confidence among the minority people, the PM directed her party members to intensify vigilance to maintain communal harmony preventing any possible violence in every locality.
The government earlier directed the law enforcement agencies to hunt down the culprits responsible for breaking communal harmony.
A total of 117 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh have been deployed in 37 districts and three metropolitan cities while police, Rapid Action Battalion and plain-cloth law enforcers are patrolling round the clock.
Read: Hindu community stages protest against communal violence
On the part of the ruling party, AL has directed all its units to remain vigilant and assist the law enforcers to thwart any sort of violation of communal harmony, said Biplab Barua, office secretary of the ruling party.
Several ministers, senior Awami League leaders, Members of Parliament, high government and law enforcing officials visited the affected and vulnerable areas in the past few days following the directive by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister’s Office is also monitoring the situation at the directive of the Prime Minister, said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim. “Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony and none will be allowed to break it,” he added.
Social media and online media are being monitored constantly, and over two dozen people including an assistant professor of Begum Badrunnessa Government Girls College were arrested for their involvement in spreading rumors using false information, according to the police headquarters.
The LGRD Ministry issued directives to all public representatives including Union Parishads, Upazilas, municipalities and City Corporations to remain vigilant and play their due role to maintain peace and harmony in their respective localities. To this end, the ministry would hold a virtual meeting on Sunday.
LGRD Minister Md Tazul Islam also visited Cumilla from where the incident spread following alleged defamation of Holy Quran.
The Religious Affairs Ministry has recently held meetings with clerics of major religions in the several days and directed them to build awareness, motivate people and disseminate the essence of communal harmony for maintaining peace, said a high officials of the ministry.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Huq Khan visited the victims and distributed cash Taka 10,000 each of 61 families alongside provided baby foods and cattle feed in Rangpur.
Read: Iqbal, the prime suspect in Bangladesh communal violence, brought to Cumilla
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief allocated 100 bundles of corrugated iron sheets, Tk 445,000 for house construction and distributed 1200 packets of foodstuffs as humanitarian assistance for the victim Hindu families, said its secretary Md Mohsin.
Rangpur district administration on Sunday night distributed Tk 9 lakh cash assistance and 100 bundles of corrugated iron sheets among 65 affected families.
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has set up a number of tents to give shelter to the homeless people so that they are not forced to spend night under open sky.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud also visited the victim families and distributed Tk 5,000 and 20kg rice among each Hindu family, who became victims of violence and arson attack in Pirganj.
On behalf of the Awami League, cash, food and clothes have been given to the victim families, said Barua, also a special assistant to the Prime Minister.
He said a central Awami League team will visit across the country shortly led by party general secretary Obaidul Quader.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Whip Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapon visited the victims in Rangpur.