Protests in Dhaka, amid Muslim-Hindu tensions

Thousands of protesters clash with police

Thousands of protesters in Bangladesh’s capital yesterday clashed with police, as security forces used tear gas and batons against demonstrators angry over what they perceived as an image insulting Islam that had gone viral over social media.

Police said that the street protests began after the main Friday prayers at the Baitul Mukarram mosque in the centre of Dhaka.

Vandalism reported

The clashes in the capital city follow reported incidents of vandalism at Hindu temples across other parts of the Muslim-majority country. The rise in communal tensions came as the minority Hindus celebrated the last day of their largest religious festival — the Durga Puja.

Sajjad Hossain, a deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said several people were injured after the police charged with batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd which was attempting to break through a police barricade.

“They started pelting stones at us, they attacked us,’’ Hossain said.

Three detained

It was not clear immediately how many were injured in the melee, authorities said.

At least three of the protesters were detained for questioning, the deputy commissioner added.

Protesters chanted antiIndia slogans and criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom critics accuse of being close with New Delhi.

Bangladeshi authorities have ordered an investigation into the image of Islam’s holy book placed in the temple, while Hasina has warned against any attempts to disturb communal harmony in the country. But Hindu organisations said the attacks continued in other parts of the country where dozens of Hindus were injured and their temple statues vandalised or toppled.