Bangladesh: 15 temples, houses of Hindus vandalized in Chittagong

Hindu temples have been vandalized in Bangladesh on allegations of disrespect shown to Islam on Facebook.

Dhaka, Oct 31: At least 15 temples and many houses belonging to Hindus were vandalized in Chittagong  city of Bangladesh. People were looted for hours in Brahmanbarhia region. Bangladesh daily BD News reported that these Hindu temples have been vandalized on allegations of disrespect shown to Islam on Facebook. After the chaos for hours on Sunday afternoon, two temples in adjacent Habiganj’s Madhabpur came under attack and six persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack.

The ASP said was quoted saying that several people have been identified so far and six of the detainees were held from the spot yesterday during the attack. As per the reports, some locals said some youths vandalized the temples at Madhabpur Bazar on Sunday when another youth from Haripur published pictures criticizing Islam on social networking site Facebook.

As per reports by ANI, 200 unnamed people have been sued for allegedly vandalizing two temples in Madhabpur of Habiganj district. As per reports by Bangladesh daily, The Daily star, fifteen people have been detained so far in connection to the incident.

At least 15 temples & many houses belonging to Hindus vandalised in Chittagong (Bangladesh): Bangladesh Media

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 31, 2016

200 unnamed people sued for allegedly vandalising two temples in Madhabpur of Habiganj district: Bangladesh Media

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 31, 2016

Earlier in July, a Hindu priest was hacked to death on Friday in Bangladesh by 3 helmeted men, who were on motorcycle, in front of a temple in Jhinaidah district headquarter, 300 kms (188 miles) south west from the capital Dhaka.

According to reports, Border Guard Bangladesh has been deployed in Nasirnagar and Madhabpur Upazila headquarters along with the Rapid Action Battalion, police and Armed Police Battalion to maintain law and order in Bangladesh. Earlier in January, a music college named after the renowned composer and music teacher Ustad Alauddin Khan was vandalized in the district following the death of a madrasa student.

(Image Credit: Dhaka Tribune)