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Published : 18 Sep 2025, 05:57 PM
Four shrines in Homna Upazila of Cumilla have been vandalised and set on fire following “loudspeaker announcements” accusing a man of blasphemy.
Three houses near one of the shrines were also torched.
The attacks took place on Thursday afternoon in Asadpur village, said Upazila administrator (UNO) Khemalika Chakma.
Police and Army personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.
Police said they arrested Md Mohsin, 35, on charges of blasphemy before the violence erupted.
Local resident said around 11am on Wednesday, a Facebook ID named “Bemoja Mohsin” posted a derogatory comment about Prophet Muhammad (SM).
The post sparked anger in the area, leading locals to stage demonstrations demanding Mohsin’s arrest.
Police then arrested him and took him to the station.
That evening, Md Shariful Islam, organisational secretary of Bangladesh Islami Jubo Sena’s Homna unit, filed a case with Homna Police Station accusing Mohsin of blasphemy.
He was shown arrested in the case and produced before court on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, an enraged “mob” gathered in the village and announcements were made through loudspeakers calling for attacks on shrines and houses. The crowd first targeted Mohsin’s house, then vandalised and set fire to the shrine of Kofil Uddin Shah.
They later torched three houses on the shrine premises, destroying furniture and a motorcycle.
The “mob” went on to vandalise the shrines of Abdu Shah, Kalai (Kanu) Shah and Hawali Shah, setting fire to the compound of the latter shrine.
Fire Service units rushed to the scene and brought the flames under control.
Cumilla Police Superintendent (SP) Md Nazir Ahmed Khan and UNO Khemalika later visited the sites.
After inspection, SP Nazir said: “The situation is now under control. Mohsin has been arrested and produced before court with a remand petition. We are also investigating whether anyone instigated the attacks. Additional police have been deployed in the area.”
UNO Khemalika said: “On Wednesday, blasphemy allegations sparked public outrage. In consequence, on Thursday an angry ‘mob’ carried out attacks, vandalism and arson at the shrines.”
Homna Police chief Rafiqul Islam said the arrest was made in response to the complaint and public demand.
"Still, on Thursday morning, the mob vandalised and set fire to the shrines,” he added.
