Bangladesh Violence | 20 Hindu Homes Set On Fire, Many Vandalised After Durga Puja: Report
As per bdnews24.com, the arson attack happened late on Sunday at a village about 255 km from Dhaka, PTI reported.
Dhaka: Amid protests by the minority community in Bangladesh against incidents of temple vandalism during the Durga Puja celebrations last week, around 66 houses were reportedly vandalised and at least 20 homes of the Hindus set on fire in the country over an alleged blasphemous social media post.
As per bdnews24.com, the arson attack happened late on Sunday at a village about 255 km from Dhaka, PTI reported.
READ: Attacks On Durga Puja Pandals 'Pre-Planned By Vested Groups', Says Bangladesh Home Minister
District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Qamruzzaman said the police rushed to a colony of fishermen as tension mounted over a rumour that a young Hindu man from the village had “dishonoured religion” in a Facebook post, as per the report.
The report added the attackers set fire to other homes nearby as the police stood guard around the man’s house.
At least 29 residential houses, two kitchens, two barns and 20 haystacks belonging to 15 different people were torched in Majhipara, the Fire Service Control Room said as per their report from the scene.
The Fire Service Control Room added that an “unruly crowd” has been identified as the cause of fire.
According to the report, the fire service received information of the fire at 8:45 p.m. and finally put it out by 4:10 a.m.
There were, however, no immediate reports of casualties.
This takes place amid a rising communal tension over an alleged incident of blasphemy at a Durga Puja venue in Cumilla in Bangladesh's Chittagong division which led to attacks on Hindu temples and clashes between vandals and the police in Cumilla besides other districts.
As per the report, dozens have been arrested over the attacks and the spread of communal hatred on social media.
The elite anti-crime force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has, meanwhile, arrested two more people in connection with the looting and vandalism of temples and shops belonging to the Hindu community in Feni, around 155 km from Dhaka.
Imran Khan, Assistant Director of the paramilitary force's Legal and Media Wing, said “they were arrested for their involvement in communal violence and inciting people on social media”.
“They were handed over to the local police station,” he added.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had earlier warned of strict action against those trying to disturb communal harmony in the country.
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