Dhaka, May 31 -- A human chain and protest march was organized by various organizations in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday to protest the violence and torture being perpetrated against religious minorities and ethnic communities across Bangladesh, Sammilita Sanatan Parishad, a minority alliance, said in a statement.

"Tariqul Islam, a local BNP leader, was murdered on May 22 in Dahramshiahati village of Sundali Union in Abhaynagar Upzila of Jessore district over a dispute over the lease of a fish enclosure," it added.

"In the wake of this murder, 18-20 houses belonging to the traditional Hindu community in the village were set on fire and looted. Thirteen innocent Hindu families lost everything in the fire," the state...