Mob sets fire to Kofil Uddin Shah’s shrine in Cumilla, vandalises 4 others

An angry mob vandalised and set fire to the shrine of Kofil Uddin Shah and his family home in Cumilla's Homna on Thursday (18 September), following the arrest of his grandson Mohsin over an alleged offensive social media post about religion.

The attack, which began around 11am in Asadnagar village of Homna upazila, also targeted four other shrines in the area, confirmed district Superintendent of Police Nazir Ahmed Khan.

The attack, which began around 11am in Asadnagar village of Homna upazila, also targeted four other shrines in the area. Photo: Collected

Fire service personnel later reached the spot and brought the blaze under control.

Police and army personnel were deployed immediately after the incident. 

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Cumilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Nazir Ahmed Khan, Homna's Senior ASP Abdul Karim, Daudkandi's ASP Md Faisal Tanvir, and UNO Khemalika Chakma visited the area, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands. 

Police confirmed that the situation was brought under control, though no case has been filed yet over the attacks.

Police and army personnel were deployed after the incident. Photo: Collected

Locals said Mohsin, 35, son of Alek Shah of Fakirbari in Asadnagar, allegedly posted derogatory remarks on Facebook about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) under the ID "Bemoja Mohsin" at around 10:52am on Wednesday (17 September). 

The post sparked anger and demonstrations, with locals demanding his arrest.

Police said Mohsin was arrested the same evening, charged in a case filed by Shariful Islam, organisational secretary of Bangladesh Islami Jubo Sena's Homna unit, and then sent to jail through the court.

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SP Nazir said, "The accused was arrested within a very short time yesterday. Those involved in today's vandalism and arson, and anyone who instigated or incited it, will also be brought under the law."

The shrine of Kofil Uddin Shah before. Photo: Collected

UNO Khemalika Chakma added, "The accused is already under arrest and facing legal action. No one should take the law into their own hands. Everyone's cooperation is needed to maintain order."

Some media reports suggested that the violence followed announcements made over a mosque loudspeaker. However, according to locals interviewed by our correspondent, no such announcements were made in the area.