One killed in Bangladesh as Hindu protesters clash with police

DHAKA — 

At slightest 1 idiosyncratic was killed successful Bangladesh successful clashes betwixt information forces and Hindus protesting the apprehension of a spiritual leader, constabulary said, adjacent arsenic neighboring India urged that the information of Hindus and minorities beryllium ensured.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu person associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, oregon ISKCON, was arrested astatine the Dhaka airdrome connected Monday connected respective charges, including sedition.

His apprehension sparked protests by his supporters successful some the superior Dhaka and Chittagong city.

"A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests extracurricular the tribunal [in Chittagong]," said constabulary serviceman Liaquat Ali.

A probe has been ordered into the alleged killing, the caretaker authorities said successful a statement, adding that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had directed instrumentality enforcement agencies to measurement up information successful the larboard city.

"The interim authorities is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony successful Bangladesh astatine immoderate cost," the authorities said.

Das faces sedition charges filed successful October aft starring a ample rally successful Chittagong, successful which helium was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s nationalist emblem and was denied bail by a tribunal successful Chittagong connected Tuesday.

'Rampage'

When Das was being escorted backmost to situation from court, much than 2,000 supporters surrounded the van, blocking it for implicit 2 hours, said Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz.

"They went connected a rampage, throwing bricks astatine us. To disperse the crowd, we had to occurrence teardrop gas. No 1 was earnestly injured, but 1 of our constables was hurt," Aziz said.

India condemned the apprehension of Das, saying successful a sternly worded connection that the perpetrators of documented vandalism and arson against minorities arsenic good arsenic those who desecrated deities remained astatine large.

Hindu-majority India has beardown taste and concern ties with its neighbor, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's authorities has expressed interest implicit a spate of attacks connected Hindus.

"It is unfortunate that, portion the perpetrators of these incidents stay astatine large, charges should beryllium pressed against a spiritual person presenting morganatic demands done peaceful gatherings," the Indian overseas ministry connection said.

Bangladesh's overseas ministry, responding to India, said the authorities does not interfere successful the judiciary's work, and the substance was being dealt with by the tribunal of law.

"The Government of Bangladesh is besides committed to upholding communal harmony successful the country," the ministry said.