Siliguri, 26th December: Protests against the killing of Hindus and alleged atrocities on the Hindu community in Bangladesh were witnessed in Siliguri on Thursday, as Bangiya Hindu Mahamancha carried out a protest programme outside Bangladesh’s Sonali Bank branch at Panitanki More.
After staging a protest in front of the visa office earlier, activists of Bangiya Hindu Mahamancha took out a procession from Pakurtala More and marched to Panitanki More. Anticipating trouble, a heavy police force was deployed in front of the Sonali Bank branch.
Tension escalated as protestors attempted to intensify the agitation, leading to a scuffle between police personnel and Bangiya Hindu Mahamancha activists. During the protest, the demonstrators burnt an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government of Bangladesh, in front of the bank.
Speaking on the occasion, advisory committee member of Bangiya Hindu Mahamancha, Bikramaditya Mondal, alleged that police were providing security to Sonali Bank while atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh continued. He asserted that the organisation would not allow the situation to continue and warned that the agitation would go on until the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh was ensured.
Mondal also claimed that the organisation had submitted appeals at various medical institutions as part of their protest, seeking wider support and attention to the issue.