Guwahati, 27 December (HS):

Several Hindu organisations on Saturday staged a protest in front of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office in Guwahati, condemning the reported killings of members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The protesters raised slogans demanding an immediate end to violence against religious minorities in the neighbouring country.

Carrying placards and banners, the demonstrators expressed strong resentment over what they described as repeated attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. They alleged that the minority community there is being systematically targeted and urged the Bangladesh government to take concrete steps to ensure their safety and protection.

Leaders of the Hindu organisations said the issue should be taken seriously at the international level. They also appealed to the Government of India to raise the matter diplomatically and press for the protection of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Some speakers called upon international human rights bodies and the United Nations to take cognisance of the situation.

Adequate security arrangements were put in place around the Assistant High Commission office in view of the protest. Police personnel were deployed in the area and the demonstration concluded peacefully without any untoward incident.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash