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Published : 10 Jul 2026, 01:25 AM
A Sickness Without End
Shattered sanctuary: Centuries of peaceful religious coexistence by the Jadukata River were shattered in repeated waves of violence
Faceless mob: Stunned locals report that a significant number of unfamiliar outsiders joined the crowd to orchestrate the fury
Future ruined: While the young student remains jailed under the Cyber Security Act, attackers of the temples face no charges
By the time Nikhil Roy realised the discussion over his son's Facebook comment had turned dangerous, he was already searching for a peaceful way out.
Believing dialogue could defuse the tension, he took his 21-year-old son Sudipta Roy to Badaghat Bazaar to meet respected local figures.
Instead, he says, they found themselves surrounded by an increasingly hostile crowd. Within moments, a mob had formed. Sudipta was whisked into a shop for protection before police quietly escorted him out through a rear door.
Yet removing the young man did not calm the situation.
Hundreds of people marched from the marketplace to nearby Garakati village, where homes, temples and businesses belonging to the Hindu community were attacked and vandalised in repeated waves on Jun 23.
For many residents, the violence remains almost impossible to comprehend.
Village Built on Coexistence
Garakati sits on the banks of the Jadukata River beneath the Meghalaya hills, in an area where Hindu and Muslim communities have lived side by side for decades.
Nearby stand the ashram associated with Advaita Acharya Mahaprabhu and the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Arefin. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims arrive for the Baruni festival as Muslims welcome visitors into their homes, while devotees also gather for the saint's annual urs. The two celebrations have long unfolded together, symbolising the area's tradition of religious harmony.
That history makes the attacks all the more bewildering.
Nazrul Sikdar, president of the Badaghat Bazaar Traders' Association, said Muslims and Hindus had lived together peacefully for years.
"We tried everything to stop the violence. The police and traders also did their best, but we couldn't control the situation."
Ganesh Talukdar, general secretary of the Tahirpur Upazila Puja Celebration Council, echoed the sentiment.
"This is the first incident of its kind here. We have lived together for many years. We all tried to stop the attacks, but we couldn't. The area has suffered greatly. We all live together."
Several residents told bdnews24.com they noticed many unfamiliar faces among those marching through the village, fuelling suspicions that outsiders joined the violence.
Shelter Behind a Shutter
Nikhil says he does not even use Facebook, relying instead on a basic mobile phone.
As the crowd closed in, shopkeeper Muktar Hossain lowered the shutters of his shop and refused to hand Sudipta over.
"Had he not closed the shutter, they would have killed my son," Nikhil said.
Muktar recalled that Nikhil had come seeking a negotiated settlement after consulting local elders.
"They wanted to beat him and take him away. I told them there was no point attacking someone who had sought shelter. I shut the shop until the market committee and police arrived."
Police later removed Sudipta through the back of the building.
Scars Remain
More than two weeks later, Garakati still bears the marks of that afternoon.
The Roy family's home stands battered. Brick walls have been smashed with hammers, tin fencing torn apart and household belongings strewn across the floors. A tube well lies broken into pieces, while furniture, kitchen utensils and personal possessions remain damaged inside.
Nearby, attackers also vandalised the village's public temple complex. The Natmandir was reduced to rubble with heavy hammers. Damage spread to the Kali and Durga temples, where idols, walls and religious items were destroyed or looted.
Ganesh Talukdar said three temples in Garakati and another Kali temple at Badaghat Bazaar were attacked.
Lives Upended
Sudipta now remains in jail after police filed a case against him under the Cyber Security Act over the Facebook comment.
For his parents, the legal case is only one part of the tragedy.
Ketaki Roy said her son had been due to sit his Higher Secondary Certificate examinations.
"His future is finished," she said, fighting back tears.
Nikhil said the family had pleaded for permission to allow him to take the examinations but feared for his safety if he appeared in public.
"He was a good student. We dreamed he would complete his studies and build a future. Now everything has gone dark."
Police say no case has yet been filed over the attacks on the homes and temples, and no arrests have been made.
Local MP Kamruzzaman Kamrul urged residents not to blame an entire community for one individual's alleged actions.
"His community is not responsible. His temple is not responsible. Whoever commits offences must face the law."
