Sat Nov 30 13:21:15 UTC 2024: ## Second Hindu Priest Arrested in Bangladesh Amidst Rising Tensions

**Chattogram, Bangladesh –** A second Hindu priest has been arrested in Chattogram, Bangladesh, following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das earlier this week. Shyam Das Prabhu, who reportedly visited Das in jail, was taken into custody without a warrant on Friday, according to sources. This arrest comes amidst a wave of violence targeting the Hindu minority community in the region.

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of ISKCON, on sedition charges sparked protests and clashes between police and protestors, resulting in the death of Assistant Public Prosecutor Saiful Islam. Nine individuals, mostly Hindu sanitation workers, have been arrested in connection with the lawyer’s murder.

Further escalating the situation, three Hindu temples in Chattogram were vandalized on Friday by a large, slogan-shouting mob. The Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple sustained damage from brickbats thrown by the assailants. Police have confirmed the attack.

These incidents follow a pattern of increasing violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh since the recent change in government. The new interim government has faced criticism for its inability to control the rising unrest. The Hindu community, comprising approximately 8% of Bangladesh’s population, is increasingly concerned about their safety and security.

Indian politician Abhishek Banerjee, National General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, has called on the Indian government to strongly address the issue with their Bangladeshi counterparts. The situation remains tense, with concerns growing over the safety and well-being of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

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