Roundup: Bangladesh police tightens security, arrest scores after Hindu attacks

Police in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, 109 km northeast of Dhaka, have heightened security and arrested scores of men days after a violent mob vandalized dozens of Hindu temples and homes over alleged blasphemy.

A police official told Xinhua Sunday that "53 people have so far been arrested in connection with the attacks."

The official who did not like to be named said security has been beefed up in the violence ridden Hindu main areas of the district.

The situation is completely under control, he said.

Additional security measures were put in place amid media reports that several Hindu houses and temple were also torched early Friday, he added.

Bangladesh authorities say the Oct. 30 mob attack in the district was prompted by allegations that a resident of the Hindu colony through a Facebook post did something disrespectful about Islam's a most sacred place.

Hundreds of people on that day reportedly ransacked 15 temples and looted and vandalized more than a hundred houses of Hindus over the purported Facebook post.

The post from the account of Rasraj Das showed a photo of Hindu God Shiva placed on the photo of Kaaba, the most sacred and holiest place in Islam, which is located in the Muslim holiest city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The Hindu youth has already been arrested and sent to jail by a court in a case filed over the matter.

Bangladesh Police's counter-terrorism unit began probing the origin of the Facebook post that sparked the communal violence.

Three more separate investigations have also been launched by the government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party.

Bangladesh police has already suspended a senior officer for negligence of duty in handling the entire situation.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also a minister, has warned of stern actions against the culprits who were behind the attacks on the Hindus.

He said attackers will be brought to book as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is in a tough position against such criminals. Endit