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DHAKA – Bangladesh police have shot dead four people as hundreds vandalised several Hindu temples across the Muslim-majority country, said the force today.
Cops opened fire on a mob of over 500 late yesterday following furore over footage of a Quran being placed on the knee of a figure of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman during a religious festival.
In the main incident, the mob attacked a Hindu temple and clashed with police in the southern town of Hajiganj, leaving four dead and nearly two dozen injured, including 15 cops, local police chief Milon Mahmud told AFP.
A police inspector confirmed that the four were shot dead.
Police said the local magistrate ordered a ban on gatherings in the area, and seven people were arrested.
The Bangladeshi government ordered a probe into the violence, saying in a statement that anyone involved will be punished, and asking people to maintain order.
“The government has urged everyone to keep religious harmony, peace and security.”
Another temple was attacked in the eastern district of Cumilla, where the alleged desecration of the Islamic holy book took place, said police inspector Monir Ahmed.
“The situation is peaceful now. Hundreds of policemen, elite Rapid Action Battalion, and border guards have been deployed,” he said, adding that at least 40 people were detained.
Police also clashed with hundreds of residents in the northeastern town of Zakiganj after a crowd gathered in the town centre to protest.
“Several people and a couple of police officers were injured. The mob attacked and vandalised police and local administrators’ cars. We have deployed extra police,” said deputy police chief Lutfar Rahman.
The Daily Star newspaper reported that idols of Hindu gods and temples were vandalised in two northern rural districts, while authorities have increased security in the southern city of Chittagong, home to a sizeable Hindu population.
Hindus, who make up some 10% of Bangladesh’s 169 million population, have faced sporadic violence in recent years, often sparked by rumours spread on social media.
Mobs vandalised at least five temples and attacked property in 2016 over a Facebook post mocking one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Over the past week, the community has been celebrating its largest annual festival the Durga Puja, which culminates with devotees immersing the idol of the goddess Durga in a river on Friday. – AFP, October 14, 2021