Deposed Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the killing of a lawyer in Chittagong and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, demanding his immediate release. In a statement issued on Thursday, Hasina, who fled to India following violent protests in August, criticized the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of failing to protect human rights and suppressing opposition voices.

“A prominent leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested. Chinmoy Krishna Das must be released immediately,” Hasina said. She also condemned recent attacks on minority communities, including the burning of a temple in Chittagong. “Previously, mosques, churches, shrines, and homes of the Ahmadiyya community have been vandalized and set ablaze. Religious freedom and the security of life and property for all communities must be ensured,” she added.

The unrest erupted on Tuesday when Das was denied bail by a Chittagong court in a sedition case, prompting clashes between his followers and security forces. During the violence, Saiful Islam, an assistant public prosecutor, was killed. Hasina expressed outrage over the killing, saying, “I strongly protest this murder. Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice swiftly.”

Sheikh Hasina accused the Yunus-led government, which she described as an unconstitutional regime, of perpetuating violence and failing to uphold human rights. “A lawyer performing his professional duties was brutally beaten to death. This is an act of terrorism, and the perpetrators must be punished,” she said. Hasina warned of consequences if the government fails to deliver justice. “If this unlawful government does not punish these terrorists, it too will face accountability for violating human rights.”

The former prime minister called on citizens to unite against violence and insecurity. “I urge the people of Bangladesh to stand together against this terror. We must ensure safety for all and resist this failure of governance,” she stated.

Hasina also criticized the government’s broader handling of security and law enforcement, accusing it of targeting Awami League members, students, and others. “After killing countless leaders and activists of the Awami League, students, and law enforcement officers, they continue their reign of terror through arrests, fabricated cases, and assaults,” she said.

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on Monday at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as he was about to travel to Chattogram for a rally. His arrest has sparked widespread protests among the Hindu community, which has faced over 200 reported attacks since Hasina’s Awami League government was ousted on August 5.

The incident has also strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. On Tuesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh and condemned the arrest of Das. “We are deeply concerned by the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ongoing protests highlight growing tensions in Bangladesh, with Hasina urging immediate action to protect the rights and safety of all citizens.