A case has been filed against 2,200 people in connection with the vandalism and arson attacks on four shrines in Homna upazila of Cumilla, which were carried out following public announcements over loudspeakers. The case was lodged late Thursday night by Sub-Inspector Tapas Kumar Sarker of Homna Police Station.
The unrest began on Wednesday morning when a youth named Mohsin posted content on Facebook deemed offensive to Islamic religious sentiments. Locals staged protests demanding his arrest, after which police detained Mohsin and sent him to jail.
Despite the arrest, on Thursday morning, angry crowds gathered in Asadpur area after announcements made over loudspeakers. Hundreds of people simultaneously attacked and set fire to four shrines—those of Kofil Uddin Shah, Hawali Shah, Kalai Shah, and Abdu Shah. Police and army personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. The area remains tense, with additional law enforcement deployed.
One affected family complained that even after handing over the accused to the police, they were not given security, and their shrines and homes were set on fire.
Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam of Homna Police Station said that although the youth responsible for the Facebook post has already been arrested and sent to jail, a group of unruly people still took the law into their own hands. A case has been filed against 2,200 unidentified people, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved.