Bangladesh says Rohingya were involved in attacks on Buddhist temples
Bangladesh says the destruction of Buddhist temples was carried out by radical Islamists
Bangladesh has accused Muslim Rohingya refugees from Myanmar of involvement in attacks on Buddhist temples and homes in the southeast and said the violence was triggered by a photo posted on Facebook that insulted Islam.
Thousands of Muslims went on a rampage in Buddhist areas of Bangladesh near the border on Saturday, setting ablaze more than a dozen temples and monasteries and at least 50 homes. Property was looted, including statues of the Buddha.
"The attacks on temples and houses in Buddhist localities in Ramu and neighbouring areas in Cox's Bazar [district] were perpetrated by radical Islamists," Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir said.
"Rohingyas and political opponents of the government were also involved in the attacks."
Sectarian tensions have been running high in neighbouring Myanmar since June when deadly clashes erupted between Buddhists and Rohingya in western Rakhine state. Mosques and homes were razed, with scores dead on both sides. Tens of thousands of people, mostly Rohingya, were displaced.
Rohingya are denied citizenship in Myanmar, while neighbouring Bangladesh has closed its borders to them, refusing to allow those already inside to be assessed for refugee status.
