Bangladesh: 4 dead in firing at protest over an alleged Facebook post

Thousands of people took to the streets in Bangladesh in order to protest the alleged killing of four people by the police forces after the police opened fire on a crowd in the wake of one of the worst religious riots to have hit Bangladesh. Four people lost their lives and approximately 50 people were injured alongside at least seven people admitted in the hospital in a critical condition as per agency reports. However, the authorities stated that they opened fire only after they were stones were hurled at them.

"Unacceptable and unconstitutional"

The deaths of the four individuals prompted fresh protests on October 20, as people numbering in thousands swarmed the streets while shouting slogans that called for the authorities responsible to be brought to justice. A student by the name of Mahmudul Hasan stated that it is an unacceptable situation and something that is completely illegal. He also said that it is unconstitutional on what the authorities have done and they need to brought to justice.

Messages posted by an imposter

Approximately 20,000 people wanted a man to be executed in relation to the messages he had posted on Facebook that allegedly maligned Prophet Mohammed. Mob attacks in relation to the messages have proven to be a major issue for the authorities in Bangladesh, a country that houses up to 90% of the Muslims in a population of 168 million people.

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The man, who is currently only identified as a Hindu individual was accused of posting the maligning messages. He was then slapped with charges of stirring up issues of communal disharmony. In relation to the recent developments, Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, asked for a peaceful environment and stated that the Hindu man's Facebook account was hacked and someone else has posted those provocative messages.

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Bangladesh not a stranger to riots

The local police chief, Enamul Haque, stated that an investigation was underway in relation to the protests that took place on the island of Bhola and also made public the fact that one of their officers was battling for his life after being shot by one of the protestors. The above-mentioned incident is not the first that has taken place in Bangladesh. An incident dating back to 2016, witnessed Muslims vandalize Hindu temple in an unnamed eastern town in Bangladesh in relation to a post that apparently made fun of one of Islam's holiest sites. 

In another incident, dating back to 2012, Muslims set fire to Buddhist monasteries and shops after a picture of the Quran that was considered defaming was uploaded online by a young Buddhist individual.

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(With inputs from agencies)