Mob Attacks Hindu Community Homes in Bangladesh Over Social Media Post

Dhaka, Jul 29 (PTI) – Over the weekend, a mob damaged at least a dozen homes belonging to the Hindu community in northwestern Bangladesh, as reported by officials and media.

The office of interim government's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Tuesday that orders have been issued to repair homes damaged in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur.

According to Bangla language daily Prothom Alo, violence began on Saturday after a 17-year-old Hindu youth allegedly posted derogatory remarks about the Prophet on social media.

The teenager, a third-semester student at a private polytechnic institute, has been arrested, the paper reported.

Citing Al Emran, officer-in-charge of Gangachara police station, the paper stated that a complaint had been received about the offensive Facebook post.

"Once the allegations were confirmed, he was detained around 8:30 pm on Saturday and brought to the police station," Emran mentioned, adding that he was transferred to a juvenile rehabilitation centre following a court order.

In response, local residents attacked and vandalized Hindu community homes on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The army managed to control the situation, the paper said.

Yunus' office reported that 12 Hindu households were damaged in the attacks.

"Three families, including relatives of the detained boy, are currently staying with relatives in a neighboring village,” reported the chief adviser's office.

"Repair work on the Hindu households will commence Tuesday under the district and sub-district administrations' supervision,” the statement read.

The male members of 19 out of the 22 affected families have returned to their homes, while female members are staying elsewhere due to the damage, according to Rangpur's deputy commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal.

The statement also noted that local authorities are working to identify those involved in the violence, and legal actions will be pursued against them. The local civil leaders are collaborating with the administration and police to restore harmony in the neighborhood," it added.