A young Bangladeshi Hindu boy who was claimed to have been beaten to death inside a police station over a blasphemous social media post is alive, said the law enforcement of the country.
On September 4, Utsav Mondal, 18 was thrashed by an angry mob over a comment on Facebook containing derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad. Later, an announcement was made over mosque loudspeaker declaring his death but law enforcement confirmed the next day that the injured youth was alive, reported Dhaka Tribune.
The authorities had refused to disclose his location due to security concerns.
Utsav Mondol is alive. Finally #Bangladesh Army has published his photos. So keep asking questions, i think it reflects.#BangladeshCrisis #SaveHindusInBangladesh pic.twitter.com/LhXZF6kXcw
— Dr. Imran H Sarker (@ImranHSarker) September 9, 2024
The college student from Khulna posted the offensive comment shortly after which he was tracked down by several students and was taken to the office of Deputy Commissioner (South) Mohammad Tazul Islam in Sonadanga.
An angry mob soon gathered outside the office, as the news spread, demanding that the youth be handed over to them. The situation escalated as angry protestors surrounded the office and called for justice.
Army and navy personnel were deployed to control the situation but the mob broke into the office and attacked Utshob.
The Deputy Commissioner said that despite assuring action against the youth, the mob assaulted him leaving him critically injured.
The Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations released a press release on Thursday stating that a case was registered against Mondal for violating religious sentiments and will be handed over to the legal authorities once he recovers. It stressed that the Bangladesh Army is committed to preventing extrajudicial killings and upholding the rule of law.
According to the police officer, the announcement of his death was made from the mosque in a bid to disperse the mob and restore calm.
