Over 2,000 sued in Cumilla Shrine vandalism, arson case

A case has been filed against approximately 2,200 unidentified individuals in connection with the vandalism and arson of multiple religious sites in the Homna upazila of Cumilla.

Taposh Kumar Sarkar, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Homna Police Station, filed the case late Thursday night.

According to police, mobs attacked and set fire to at least four shrines in the Asadpur area following a social media post that allegedly hurt religious sentiments. The attacks were reportedly coordinated using loudspeaker announcements.

Confirming the matter, Homna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Rafiqul Islam said, "The situation remains tense. Law enforcement and army personnel have been deployed to prevent further violence."

The unrest began on Wednesday morning after a Facebook post from a local youth sparked outrage among residents. Protesters gathered in front of the police station demanding his arrest. The youth was detained later that day, and a case was filed against him by Md. Shoriful Islam, Organizing Secretary of the Homna Upazila Islami Jubo Shena. He was produced before the court on Thursday morning.

Despite the arrest, violence escalated on Thursday, with shrines of Kafil Uddin Shah and Hawali Shah in Asadpur set ablaze, and the shrines of Kalai Shah and Abdu Shah attacked and vandalised.

Fire service units responded promptly and brought the fire under control. Police and army forces later restored order in the area.

Superintendent of Police Md. Nazir Ahmed Khan stated, “The individual responsible for the Facebook post was arrested immediately. However, those who took the law into their own hands have also been identified, and legal action will be taken.”