Facebook post: Hindu temples, houses attacked in Sunamganj

Our Correspondent, Sylhet Thu Dec 5, 2024 06:20 AM

At least two temples were ransacked and “many” homes and shops of the Hindu people were vandalised at a remote village in Dowarabazar upazila of Sunamganj on Tuesday night, said locals.

Officials said they were yet to assess how many properties had been damaged.

A mob attacked Manglargaon village after local Muslims said a 21-year-old Hindu man posted an image on Facebook around 7:40pm that hurt their religious feelings, said Zahidul Haque, officer-in-charge of Dowarabazar Police Station.

“As locals demonstrated, saying that they were outraged by the Facebook post, we took the man in custody for his safety. The mob attacked our team and tried to snatch him. They then vandalised the houses of the man and several others, and shops owned by Hindu people,” he said.

Later, army personnel arrived at the spot and they along with local, political, and Islamist leaders calmed the situation, he added.

Khokan Roy, general secretary of Kendriyo Loknath Mandir in Sunamganj town, said, “The mob ransacked a Loknath temple and stole valuables worth over Tk 15 lakh. They also vandalised almost 100 houses. The house and family temple of Guru Dey, president of Upazila Puja Udjaan Parishad, were vandalised. They also looted several gold jewellers’ stores and shops owned by Hindu people.”

Rahul Das Ratul, a resident of Manglargao, said, “They attacked my neighbourhood around 10 o’ clock at night. I called 999 and then the army team arrived.”

“I don’t understand why all of us have to suffer because of a single man’s fault?” he asked.

Police filed a case under the Cyber Security Act, accusing the man. A Sunamganj court later sent him to jail.

The army set a temporary camp at Manglargaon village to prevent the risk of further incidents, said the OC.

Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ileas Mia said, “We suspect the incident was preplanned: the mob was instigated to attack Hindu properties. The damage is not as much as it is said to be. We met the religious leaders in the upazila to keep the situation calm.”

Also on Tuesday night, a temple titled Sree Sree Kali Mandir was partially damaged in an attack at Gaziteka village of Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar, said Abdul Qayyum, officer-in-charge  of Barlekha Police Station.

The idol, a hand pump, part of the boundary wall, and tiles were vandalised, he said, adding that no complaint had been filed over the matter.

Quoting locals, the officer said the incident occurred late at night.

“We visited the scene,” he told this correspondent.

Late last night, around 100 students of Dhaka University demonstrated near the TSC against the attacks on Hindu community.