4 shrines vandalised, set on fire in Cumilla

Four shrines in Asadpur village of Homna Upazila, Cumilla, were attacked, vandalised, and set on fire by angry locals on Thursday morning following an announcement made via loudspeakers condemning a religiously offensive post on social media.

The incident occurred around 9:30am in Asadpur Union’s Asadpur village. Police and military personnel arrived promptly to restore order. Cumilla Police Superintendent Md. Nazir Ahmed Khan assured that those who incited the violence would be brought to justice.

According to police and local sources, a Facebook user named ‘Bemza Mohsin’ posted a belligerent remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on social media on Wednesday at 10:52am. This sparked outrage among the local community, who gathered in front of the Homna police station demanding exemplary punishment. The military and police intervened to calm the crowd. The accused was arrested the same day around noon.

Following the arrest, Bangladesh Islami Jubo Sena’s Homna Upazila branch filed a case against the youth at Homna police station on Wednesday evening. He was produced in court on Thursday morning.

In response to the inflammatory post, residents of Asadpur, incited by announcements over loudspeakers, attacked Kafil Uddin Shah and Hawali Shah shrines, setting them on fire. The shrines of Kalai Shah and Abdu Shah were also vandalised. Fire service units quickly responded to control the blaze.

Homna Upazila Executive Officer Khemalika Chakma described the incident as a consequence of mounting public anger over religious insult on social media.

Leaders of local Islamic organizations, including Safiq Rana of the Upazila Islami Front and Shariful Islam of the Islami Jubo Sena, stated that the arrested youth had a history of posting provocative content. They have demanded the maximum punishment for him.

Officer-in-charge of Homna Police Station, Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, confirmed the arrest and said despite police action, the shrines were vandalized and set ablaze by angry locals.

Cumilla Police Superintendent Md. Nazir Ahmed Khan further stated that while the police acted swiftly to apprehend the accused, investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for inciting violence and property destruction.