Youth taken into custody in Sunamganj following protests over alleged offensive Facebook post

Tensions flared in Sunamganj’s Tahirpur upazila yesterday (23 June) after a young man was accused of posting offensive remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook, prompting protests by local residents and his subsequent detention by police.

Tahirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam confirmed that the youth had been taken into police custody following allegations of insulting religious sentiments.

“The matter is being investigated with utmost importance. Necessary legal action will be taken in accordance with the law after the investigation is completed,” he said.

According to local sources, the controversy began yesterday morning when the 25-year-old man allegedly shared a post from his personal Facebook account containing remarks deemed offensive to Islam and the Prophet. The post quickly spread on social media, triggering outrage among members of the local Muslim community.

In response, residents staged demonstrations and a human chain in Badaghat market, demanding the youth’s arrest and exemplary punishment. Police later took the accused, a member of the Hindu community, into custody from a shop in the market area yesterday afternoon.

A large crowd gathered in the market during the detention, chanting slogans and calling for legal action. The incident has heightened tensions in the area.

Reports also emerged that later in the evening, a group of agitated individuals allegedly vandalised the youth’s home, business establishment and a local temple following the controversy.

Nazrul Islam Sikdar, president of the Badaghat Market Traders’ Association, said the situation had become tense, prompting police to take the accused into custody over the allegations. He also alleged that certain groups were attempting to exploit the incident and further inflame tensions.

The OC urged people not to spread rumours or provocative messages and warned against taking the law into their own hands. Authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent any further unrest.