Only six die in recent Durga Puja violence: Minister

Foreign affairs minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said only six died in the recent Durga Puja violence across the country and that none was raped and not a single temple was torched or destroyed.

His remarks came on Thursday after what he said a few enthusiastic media and individuals had been spreading cooked-up stories of deaths and rapes mainly to embarrass the government of Sheikh Hasina.

In a statement, he, however, said a couple of deities or Goddesses were vandalised.

“All perpetrators have been arrested and now they are in police custody. A dozen and a half houses that were put on fire have been rebuilt and affected people have received compensation,” Momen said.

He said Bangladesh has been witnessing a proliferation of Puja pandals and that some makeshift temples are being built in individual households.

He advised the worshippers not to leave their Mandaps unattended.