BANGLADESH

Protesters clash with police in Dhaka over alleged sacrilege

Hundreds of protesters have clashed with police at Kakrail after they brought out a procession from the Baitul Mukarram mosque to protest the alleged “dishonouring” of the Quran in Cumilla.

Protesters under the banner of ‘Malibagh Muslim Samaj’ took out the procession following the Jummah prayers on Friday.

Soon after the procession, taken out protesting the alleged dishonour of Islam in Comilla, reached at the Kakrail intersection, the protester started to hurl brickbats as the police obstructed them. At least five policemen have been injured.

Police charged batons, tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse them, when the procession spread to the surrounding alleys.

Protesters clash with police in Dhaka over alleged sacrilege

“We allowed the procession to reach the Nightingale intersection, but the protesters created chaos there; then the police fired teargas shells to bring the situation under control,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammad Abdul Ahad.

Traffic was halted for more than half an hour in Gulistan and Paltan.

Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Bayzid Ur Rahman of the police’s Ramna Zone, said that he along with four other officials received injuries in the clash.

However, the situation is now under control, said the official, adding, “Five people were held from the spot.”

Additional police and members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed to avoid any untoward situation.

Traffic on the road, which was halted during the clash, resumed around 2.30pm after additional forcers arrived at the scene.

Protesters clash with police in Dhaka over alleged sacrilege

On Wednesday, communal tension led to vandalising of some Hindu temples over the alleged dishonouring of the Quran in a temple in Cumilla amid Durga Puja celebrations.

Following the incident, Hindu temples and Puja venues in parts of the country were vandalised.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan indicated that a “conspiracy” was at play in the temple attacks in Cumilla.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed exemplary punishment to those who used religion to unleash violence.

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