4 shrines vandalized, set ablaze in Cumilla following social media post

Four shrines—Kafil Uddin Shah, Hawali Shah, Kalai Shah, and Abdu Shah—were attacked, vandalised, and set on fire by an angry mob on Thursday morning around 9:30 am in Asadpur village under Homna upazila of Cumilla.

The violence was triggered by a controversial Facebook post shared the previous day.

According to local sources and police, a young man using the Facebook account 'Bemja Mohsin' posted religiously offensive content at 10:52 am on Wednesday. 

The post sparked outrage, leading locals to protest in front of Homna Police Station, demanding severe punishment for the individual. 

Police and army personnel intervened to calm the situation, and the suspect was arrested that afternoon. 

Md. Shariful Islam, organising secretary of the Bangladesh Islamic Jubosena Homna Upazila branch, filed a case against the youth at Homna Police Station that evening. 

The accused was presented in court on Thursday morning.

Despite the arrest, public anger persisted. 

On Thursday morning, after the offensive post was further publicised, a mob set fire to the Kafil Uddin Shah and Hawali Shah shrines and vandalised the Kalai Shah and Abdu Shah shrines. 

Two Fire Service units responded promptly, extinguishing the flames. 

Cumilla Police Superintendent Md. Nazir Ahmed Khan and Homna Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kshemalika Chakma visited the site to assess the situation.

UNO Kshemalika Chakma told Daily Samakal that the attacks stemmed from public outrage over the derogatory post. 

Local leaders, including Upazila Islamic Front Secretary Shafiq Rana and Shariful Islam, claimed the youth had a history of posting provocative content and demanded his execution.

Homna Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Rafiqul Islam confirmed the arrest and court handover of the suspect based on public demands. 

However, he noted that the mob took matters into their own hands, attacking and burning the shrines.

Cumilla Police Superintendent Md. Nazir Ahmed Khan told Daily Samakal, “The individual responsible for the offensive post was arrested immediately. Those who instigated the violence, vandalised, and set fire to the shrines have been identified, and legal action will be taken against them. Police have been deployed to maintain order in the area.”