'Durga Puja will be observed peacefully': Yunus

Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said Durga Puja will be observed peacefully and festively across country, an assurance that comes in the backdrop of attacks and vandalism on Hindu religious sites, including Durga Puja mandaps, last year. Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina govt, Bangladesh had seen widespread incidents of violence, looting and attacks on minority communities, including Hindus, which Yunus had downplayed as "exaggerated propaganda".

On Tuesday, Yunus urged all communities to maintain a spirit of harmony and vigilance during the celebrations, according to chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam. Yunus also assured of a peaceful and festive national election in Feb next year.