A group of Muslims went on a rampage at Bangram in Sathia upazila on Saturday attacking and looting the houses and shops of Hindu community members following reported derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (SM) and the holy Quran on a Facebook account.
The attackers vandalised and looted 10-12 business establishments, 25-30 houses and three temples of the Hindus, and torched the house of the alleged instigator, Rajib Shah, a Hindu boy.
They also blocked Pabna-Dhaka highway for about five hours from about 1pm.
Police and witnesses said Rajib Shaha, 17, a class-X student and son of a local trader, Babul Shaha, reportedly posted the derogatory comments against the Prophet (SM) and the holy Quran on his personal Facebook account.
As the alleged matter spread around, a large number of Muslims staged violent demonstrations at noon at the village by carrying out vandalism, looting and torching the houses, business establishments and temples of the Hindu community.
The mayhem continued for about two hours.
On information, police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members rushed to the spot and tried to disperse the demonstrators.
During the mayhem, there were incidents of chase and counter-chase between the law enforcers and the demonstrators, prompting the law enforcers to fire teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
Later in the day, State Minister for Home advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, deputy commissioner of Pabna Quazi Ashraf Uddin visited the spot and urged all to exercise restraint.
Sathia upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Shariful Islam said additional police were deployed in the area to fend off further trouble.
But, a tense situation was prevailing at Bangram and its neighbouring villages following the incident.
Babul Shaha, father of Rajib Shaha, has been kept under police custody as of filling this report at about 10:15 pm. Rajib’s whereabouts could not be known.
Source: UNBConnect