Bangladesh Freezes Accounts Linked to ISKCON Amid Tensions Over Arrest

Bangladesh Freezes Accounts: Tensions have been rising in Bangladesh following the recent arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. In response, the Bangladesh government has ordered the freezing of bank accounts linked to 17 individuals associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The government's decision includes freezing the account of Chinmoy Krishna Das himself. This move has sparked a series of events that have escalated the situation.

Freezing of Accounts and Financial Measures

On Thursday, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), a part of Bangladesh's Central Bank, instructed local banks and financial institutions to freeze the bank accounts connected to these 17 individuals. As a result, all transactions from these accounts were suspended for 30 days. The BFIU also demanded that the banks submit updated transaction reports for these accounts, including those tied to business dealings, within three working days.

Vandalism of Hindu Temples in Chattogram

The violence escalated on Friday in Chattogram, where a mob violently assaulted three Hindu temples. The targeted temples were the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the Shoni Temple, and the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple, all situated in the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane area. BDNews24.com reported that several hundred individuals, chanting slogans, hurled bricks at the temples, severely damaging the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples.

International Reactions to the Violence

India has raised strong concerns about the violence targeting the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh. India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, informed the Indian Parliament that the government has taken note of the situation and emphasized that it is Bangladesh's responsibility to protect the rights and safety of all its citizens, including minorities. The Indian government has called for stronger actions to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Bangladesh's Response to Protests in India

In a separate development, Bangladesh also expressed its concerns over violent protests that occurred at its Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, India. The protests were triggered by the ongoing tension between the two countries over the situation in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has urged India to take necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of all diplomatic missions within its territory.

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SUMMARY

The situation in Bangladesh has become tense after the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. In response, the government froze the bank accounts of 17 people linked to ISKCON, including Chinmoy Krishna Das. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) ordered banks to suspend transactions on these accounts for 30 days and asked for updated transaction reports within three days.

On Friday, violence erupted in Chattogram, where a large mob attacked three Hindu temples. They threw bricks, damaging the Shoni Temple and the gates of two other temples. India expressed serious concerns about the attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh and reminded the country of its responsibility to protect its citizens, including minorities.

Additionally, Bangladesh expressed concern over protests at its Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, India, and urged India to ensure the safety of all its diplomatic missions.