Thread by @rajeevstweets

The SECOND phase of #Bangladesh Hindu Genocide began in April 1971. It aimed to eliminate 10 MILLION HINDUS, because Pakistan army deemed #Hindus "enemy of the state". The army burned thousands of villages in "kill and burn" missions, with only rain as a hindrance.

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In April 1971, Pakistan army started a pattern of killing in #Bangladesh; HINDUS first, followed by others; East Pakistan Rifles, police or East Bengal Regiment, students, and then teachers. Teachers, because they were supposed to have been corrupted by the #Hindus.

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Hindus in #Bangladesh were "double marked" for persecution from both the Pakistan army and local Bangladeshis. The army encouraged the latter to target their #Hindu neighbors.

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Local and Union Parishad leaders threatened #Hindus to evacuate their villages within 24 hours, or face Pakistan army's intervention. Their incentives were quite lucrative - possession of #Hindu lands.
Greed fueled the genocide of Hindus in #Bangladesh.

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#Hindus were labeled with 'H' in #Bangladesh.

"Hardest hit have been members of the Hindu community who have been robbed of their lands and shops systematically slaughtered, and, in some places, painted with yellow patches marked 'H'."
— Sen. Edward M Kennedy, 1971

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“‘Genocide’ applies fully to naked, calculated and widespread selection of #Hindus for special treatment".

Pakistan engaged in a "systematic elimination of the intelligentsia and the annihilation of the Hindu population.”

— Archer K. Blood, US Consul General, #Bangladesh

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Over 700,000 #Hindu families lost their agricultural lands during and right after #Bangladesh Hindu Genocide - more than 1.5 MILLION acres.

Majority of the lang grab of #Hindus happened between 1972-75, right after independence, and then in 1976-80 period.

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The 'Vested Property Act' of #Bangladesh classifies #Hindu properties as 'enemy property'.

Even as of today, 30% of Hindu property is either occupied by other Bangladeshis or has been confiscated by the government.

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