Clash over Facebook post, 1 killed in Rangpur
A clash sprouting from an alleged Islam-demeaning Facebook post took the life of at least one person and injured several others in Rangpur Sadar upazila today.
The deceased was primarily identified as M Habib Uddin, 35, from Gangachhara upazila, our Dinajpur correspondent reports quoting local and police sources.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The clash broke out over a Facebook post of a Hindu youth this afternoon. As a group of enraged Islamists torched some houses, police opened their arsenal to retain order.
Hundreds of Muslims gathered in Paglapir Bazar and began protest around 2:00pm, after the Friday Juma prayers and blocking Dinajpur-Rangpur highway, locals said.
As police intervened, a clash broke out. Five houses were torched during the clash and police lobbed tear gas canisters and fired rubber bullets, a witness told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.
Saifur Rahman, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Rangpur district, said law enforcers brought the situation under control within a short time.
Faruk Hossain, chairman of Khaleya Union Parishad, said the Hindu youth, whose Facebook post from a few days ago sparked the protest, has gone into hiding after the incident.
Sub-Inspector Kibria Habib, the in-charge of Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) police outpost, confirmed death of one person in the clash and said 15 others were injured.
Three policemen were injured during the clash.
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