Rumour triggers attack on Hindus

Several homes and temples have been ransacked at a Hindu-majority village in Comilla following rumours that a Facebook post allegedly has defamed Prophet Muhammad.

Baghsitarampur village of Homna Upazila was attacked on Sunday evening by people of the adjacent Panchkipta village of Muradnagar Upazila.

Homna police station OC Aslam Shikder told bdnews24.com that hundreds of people from the Panchkipta village attacked temples and homes of at least 28 Hindu families alleging that two Hindu youths posted defamatory comments on Facebook about the Prophet.

"One of the victims, Haricharan Das filed a case over the incident on Monday," he said.

The police officer said they have detained two persons Utshab Das and Srinibas Das as well as nine others over the rumours of Facebook post.

"During the interrogation they have denied posting any such remark."

Additional police forces have been deployed in the area and the situation is now under control, added OC Shikder.

Abul Kashem, President of the ruling Awami League’s South Ramchandrapur Union unit, said the inhabitants of Rampura along with the people of some adjacent villages swooped on the Hindu families of Baghsitarampur village after circulating a rumour through the Rampura Madrasa loudspeakers that a Facebook post defamed the Prophet.

Additional police personnel were deployed in the area following the incident to avert further unpleasant incident, added OC Shikder.

He said men and boys from Panchkipta village went into hiding to avoid arrest.

However, 11 people were arrested at the adjacent villages for their alleged involvement in the attack.

The arrestees are ‘Kabir’, 35, son of Samad Mia, Din Islam, 25, son of Fazlul Karim, Ashique Mia, 21, son of Harun Mia, ‘Altaf’, 24, son of Jahed Ali, Abil Mia, 24, son of Abdus Samad of Chanderchar village, ‘Hanif’, 24, son of Yunus Mia, Al Amin, 20, son of Amir Hossain, ‘Rabiullah’, 27, son of Abul Hashem of Mirzapur village, Gias Uddin, 53, son of late Monsur Ali, Omar faruk, 18, son of Mobarak Hossain, and Rasel Mia, 20, son of Jahed Ali of Baghsitarampur village.

Deputy Commissioner of Comilla district Tofazzal Hossain Mia visited the victims of Baghsitarampur and distributed Tk 5,000, two bundles of tin sheets and 20 kilograms of rice to each family.