Arson attack: Bangladesh will provide compensation to affected person, says Sushma Swaraj

Bangladesh has assured India that compensation will be paid to those Hindus whose houses were torched over rumours that an offensive Facebook status was posted allegedly by a youth from the minority community.

Bangladeshi authorities have also assured adequate security to the affected persons, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. Swaraj's remarks came after her attention was drawn to reports that a mob of protesters in Bangladesh set on fire at least 30 houses of Hindus following rumours that a youth from the minority community posted an offensive Facebook status. She had said that the matter would be taken up by the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka with the Bangladeshi government.

"We have received a detailed report of Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Bangladesh authorities have assured him that compensation will be paid to affected persons to rebuild their houses and adequate security will be provided," she tweeted. According to Dhaka Tribune newspaper yesterday, one person was killed when police opened fire to disperse the crowd that launched the arson attack on the houses of Hindus.

The incident took place in Rangpur district's Thakurpara village, about 300 km from Dhaka. The protesters claimed that they were infuriated by a defamatory status posted from the Facebook account of a person who hails from the Thakurbari village a few days ago. Replying to separate tweet regarding the issuance of passport to Haryana boxer Jhalak Tomar, Swaraj assured that the process will be expedited and she will get her passport by tomorrow.