The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Thousands protest against Bangladesh police after deadly shootings

21 October 2019, MVT 20:08
Islamist activists shout slogans as they take part in a protest in Dhaka on October 21, 2019, a day after deadly clashes when police shot at Bangladeshi Muslims protesting Facebook messages that allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed. - Bangladesh police on October 21 was investigating up to 5,000 people for taking part in one of the nation's deadliest religious riots where at least four were killed when officers fired on protesters. (Photo by Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP)
21 October 2019, MVT 20:08

Thousands protested against police across Bangladesh on Monday, a day after at least four people died when officers fired on a crowd in one of the country's deadliest religious riots to date.

Some 20,000 Muslims called for the execution of a young Hindu man on Bhola island Sunday for writing Facebook messages that allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, with police saying they opened fire after rocks were thrown at officers.

Four people died and nearly 50 were injured, with at least seven in critical condition in hospital.

Mob attacks over online posts perceived to be blasphemous have emerged as a major headache for security forces in Bangladesh, where Muslims make up some 90 percent of the country's 168 million people.

The deaths sparked a new round of protests late Sunday and on Monday as thousands of Muslims across several cities shouted slogans and called for the officers involved to be put on trial.

"This is not acceptable. Police have illegally and unconstitutionally opened fire on the protesters," 22-year-old madrasa student Mahmudul Hasan told AFP at a rally in the capital Dhaka.

"It is an extrajudicial killing. We seek justice."

The Hindu man whose Facebook account hosted the original messages and is from Bhola, was charged with inciting religious tension.

But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for calm Sunday and said the man's Facebook account was hacked by a Muslim person and used to "spread lies".

Thousands of protesters who took part in the Bhola protest were being investigated, local police chief Enamul Haque told AFP, adding a police officer was also "fighting for his life" after he was shot by demonstrators.

No arrests have yet been made, he added.

Dhaka, Bangladesh | AFP

Share this story

Discuss

MORE ON NEWS