A disturbing wave of communal violence has rocked the Gangachara upazila of Rangpur district in Bangladesh, following the arrest of a 17-year-old Hindu boy accused of defaming the Prophet Muhammad on Facebook. The allegation triggered two consecutive days of violence, during which at least 15 homes belonging to the minority Hindu community were vandalized and looted. Despite the deployment of police and army personnel, fear and insecurity continue to haunt the local Hindu settlement.
The Arrest and Allegation
On the afternoon of Saturday, July 26, 2025, police arrested a 17-year-old Hindu boy from Betgari Union in Gangachara. He is a third-year student at a local private polytechnic institute. According to the police, the boy allegedly posted defamatory content about the Prophet Muhammad on his Facebook account, including offensive text and images.
Rangpur’s Gangachara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Al Emran confirmed the arrest was made around 8:30 PM on Saturday after verifying the allegation. The following day, Sunday, the boy was formally charged under the Cyber Security Act and sent to the Rangpur Juvenile Development Center by court order.
Outbreak of Violence: Attacks Begin
News of the boy’s arrest rapidly spread, igniting unrest. That same Saturday night, a group of locals staged a protest near his home and launched the first wave of attack. Around 9 PM, demonstrators gathered outside his house and vandalized the property. By 10:30 PM, another mob reportedly attacked and looted his grandfather’s residence.
The victim’s family and local residents say the army and police arrived at the scene during the second attack and managed to bring the situation under control temporarily. Law enforcement sources confirm that police patrols were in place in the area between midnight and 1 AM.
Second Day of Violence: Claims of Pre-Planned Assault
The violence intensified the next day, Sunday, July 27. Following the afternoon prayers, tensions flared again. Police intelligence warned of a possible large-scale gathering, prompting additional deployment of law enforcement and a request for army support.
Despite police presence from 1 PM, a large mob from Khilalganj Bazaar reached the Hindu village by 3:30 PM and began attacking homes. Clashes broke out as police attempted to intervene. A police constable sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized.
Army forces arrived at 4:30 PM and finally restored order. On-the-ground observations showed the Aldatpur Government Primary School and its surrounding areas heavily guarded by military and police.
Widespread Displacement and Fear Among Victims
Fear gripped the region through Sunday night and into Monday morning. According to local sources, around 50 Hindu families fled the area. Many were seen transporting belongings—livestock, rice, furniture, bedding—on rickshaw vans. Some were reportedly forced to sell their possessions for survival.
Eyewitnesses stated the attackers were armed with sticks and traditional weapons. In some cases, even police were targeted. When police temporarily retreated, the mob proceeded to attack Hindu homes one by one, destroying and looting them.
Scale of Destruction
Local Union Parishad Member Paresh Chandra Roy and other witnesses confirmed that at least 15 Hindu homes were attacked. Affected residents include Dharani Kanta Mohonto, Dhananjay Kumar, Atul Chandra, Kamala Kanta, and Dulal Chandra.
One victim, Rabindranath Roy, said looters took his wife’s gold ornaments, land deeds, and essential clothes. His wife, Rohela Rani, stated, “If they set fire again, nothing will be left.”
Kali Ranjan Roy, headmaster of the local government primary school, reported that 95% of his students are from Hindu families—none attended school due to fear.
Official Response
On Sunday evening, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha addressed a gathering at Khilalganj Bazaar. He stated, “We’ve deployed additional security forces. We’re trying to calm the situation.”
Rangpur Superintendent of Police Abu Saim visited the affected site. The UNO indicated that people from Magura Union of Kishoreganj upazila may have been involved in the attack. A list of 15 affected families has been prepared, and the administration is working on providing financial and humanitarian assistance.
Lack of Justice Raises Concern
Despite the scale and gravity of the attack, no assailants had been arrested or charged as of Monday. OC Al Emran said investigations were ongoing and that the situation was currently “under control.”
Voices from the Community
A local young woman told:
“We agree that whoever did wrong should be punished. But why were our innocent people’s homes attacked? Why were we looted?”
Residents strongly believe the assault was organized, planned, and clearly communal in nature—an example of collective punishment aimed at an entire Hindu community based on the alleged action of a single individual.
Publication Date: 28 July 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: prothomalo, banglatribune, ajkerpatrika,
dailyjanakantha, itvbd, prothomalo
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