In Comilla’s Homna Upazila, local residents attacked and vandalized four mazars (shrines) and set them on fire following a social media post deemed offensive to religion. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. in Asadpur village of Asadpur Union.
Police and army personnel were deployed to the scene to bring the situation under control. Comilla Police Superintendent Nazir Ahmed Khan told media that those who instigated the violence will face legal action.
According to police and local sources, a youth posted a controversial message on religion from a Facebook account under the name “Bemja Mohsin” at 10:52 a.m. on Wednesday.
Locals gathered in front of the Homna police station demanding exemplary punishment for the poster. The army and police intervened to calm the crowd, and the youth was later arrested the same day.
Bangladesh Islami Jubo Sainik Homna Upazila branch’s organizational secretary Shariful Islam filed a case at Homna Police Station, and the arrested youth was produced in court on Thursday morning.
Following the post, angry residents used loudspeakers to mobilize and attacked Kafil Uddin Shah and Hawali Shah mazars with fire and vandalism, and also damaged Kalai Shah and Abdu Shah mazars.
Fire service teams managed to bring the blaze under control. Comilla Police Superintendent Nazir Ahmed Khan and Homna Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Khyemalika Chakma visited the site to assess the damage.
UNO Chakma stated that public anger had been simmering since Wednesday due to the offensive post, leading to Thursday’s attacks. Leaders from Upazila Islami Front and Islami Jubo Sainik claimed the arrested youth had been posting provocative content for a long time and called for his capital punishment. Homna O.C.
Muhammad Rafiqul Islam confirmed that while the youth was arrested and produced in court, some residents took the law into their own hands to vandalize the mazars. Police have identified those responsible for the attacks and assured that legal action will be taken. The area remains under police surveillance.
