Security tightened at Sitakunda's Chandranath Temple after Facebook post on mosque construction
The post, made recently by a youth named MM Saiful Islam, sparked concern among local Hindu residents. In the post, Saiful claimed that an initiative was underway to build a mosque there and that he had met Islamic clerics about the matter
Authorities have tightened security at Chandranath Hill in Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila following a social media post claiming that a mosque would be built near the historic Chandranath Temple, one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in Bangladesh.
The post, made recently by a youth named MM Saiful Islam, sparked concern among local Hindu residents. In the post, Saiful claimed that an initiative was underway to build a mosque there and that he had met Islamic clerics about the matter.
Sitakunda police later confirmed that they had communicated with those behind the post.
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"They acknowledged their mistake and removed the post," Sitakunda police station OC Mujibur Rahman told The Business Standard yesterday.
The OC, however, declined to identify the individual who made the post. Meanwhile, Saiful's Facebook account appeared deactivated last night.
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fakhrul Islam also visited the temple complex on Sunday with local Hindu leaders after concerns spread online. "No permission has been given to construct a mosque there. The matter was caused by a misunderstanding and has been resolved."
Police have since increased manpower at the outpost near the temple and placed the area under special monitoring.
Apurva Bhattacharya, senior vice president of the Chandranath Shrine Committee, said the temple is part of the Mohanto estate and managed by the shrine authority. "This is a place of pilgrimage, not a tourist spot," he said. "The false information about a mosque created worry among Hindus and also drew strong reactions from local Muslims."
