Bangladesh lawyer killed in clashes over hindu priest’s arrest; probe launched
On Tuesday, a lawyer named Saiful Islam Alif was killed in clashes in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The violence erupted over the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, which sparked protests. Lawyers from the Chittagong Bar Association confirmed the death and said Alif was brutally attacked. The motive for the killing remains unclear.
Following the death, the Chittagong Bar Association suspended court activities to protest the murder. Law enforcement agencies have heightened security across the country, deploying extra forces in Chittagong and Dhaka.
Thousands gathered outside the court in Chittagong demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The protests grew violent when the court rejected his bail request, and police used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd. After hours of clashes, Chinmoy was sent to jail.
Chinmoy faces a sedition charge for allegedly hosting a flag above Bangladesh’s national flag, but the complainant has now distanced himself from the case. The Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) condemned the arrest, claiming it would tarnish Bangladesh’s international reputation regarding human rights and freedom of expression.
The community expressed outrage, especially after Chinmoy, a prominent Hindu leader, was arrested for advocating on behalf of minority rights. In response, the interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, condemned the lawyer’s murder and ordered a probe. He urged citizens to maintain peace and assured that security measures would be strengthened, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Yunus emphasized the government’s commitment to preserving communal harmony in Bangladesh, urging the public to avoid engaging in further unrest. The investigation into both the lawyer’s killing and Chinmoy’s arrest is ongoing.
