Bangladesh: 4 killed, 47 injured in clash between police and mob

At least four people were reportedly killed and 47 others injured as police clashed with a violent mob in Bangladesh's Bhola district over an offensive Facebook post. The incident took place at around 11 AM on October 20 when hundreds of local Muslims gathered in a field demanding the trial of a Hindu man, who is accused of making sensitive comments over Prophet Muhammad on the social media platform on Friday, according to the reports.

READ | FIR Against Border Guard Bangladesh Over BSF Jawan's Killing

Protestors pelted brickbats at law enforcers

Salahuddin Miah, the police inspector of Bhola, said that a Hindu man made disrespectful comment over Prophet and was arrested by the police. However, the protestors gathered demanding his immediate trial. The protestors had been assured that the accused was taken to the police custody and the legal process against him is in the process. He added that the protestors did not listen to them and started pelting brickbats at law enforcers. On the other hand, police fired tear shells in self defence. Later in the presence of the magistrate, police fired blank shots where four people were killed and dozens were injured.

READ | 13 Bangladeshis Arrested For Crossing Over Illegally

47 persons injured, admitted to hospital

According to the district's civil surgeon, Rathindranath Roy, 47 persons were injured and admitted to the district general hospital. The authorities said that additional security forces have been deployed to take control of the situation. Religious violence is very common in Bangladesh where Muslims make up over 90% of the 160 million population. Paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops have also been deployed in the area. The violence was second such incident since 2016 in the Muslim-majority country when protestors attacked Hindu temples in eastern Brahmanbaria town after a blasphemous Facebook post. Despite the demands of hardline Islamist groups, authorities in Bangladesh have refused to introduce tougher Islamic laws.

READ | Brig Prabir Sanyal Calls Relationship With Bangladesh Very 'cordial'

READ | BSF Jawan Killed By Bangladesh Border Guards: Here's What Happened

READ | Turkish-backed Forces, Kurds Clash Despite Syria Cease-fire