A college student in Khulna has been thrashed by an angry mob over a comment on Facebook containing derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The incident occurred at around 11:45pm on Wednesday, with announcements made over mosque loudspeakers declaring his death, but law enforcement on Thursday morning confirmed that the injured, Utshob Mondal, 18, was still alive and undergoing treatment.
Authorities declined to disclose his location for security reasons.
According to locals, Utshob Mondal posted offensive comments about the Prophet (PBUH) on social media. At about 8pm, several students tracked him down and took him to the office of Deputy Police Commissioner (South) Mohammad Tazul Islam in Sonadanga.
As news spread, a crowd gathered outside the office, demanding that he be handed over to them.
The situation escalated, with angry protesters surrounding the office and calling for justice.
Members of the army and navy arrived at the scene, attempting to calm the crowd. However, some time later, the mob broke into the office and attacked Utshob.
Deputy Police Commissioner Tazul said law enforcement had assured the mob that a case would be filed against Utshob and that he would be brought to justice through legal means.
Despite this, the crowd had assaulted him, leaving him critically injured, he added.
Mosque loudspeakers had been used to announce his supposed death in an effort to disperse the mob and restore calm, the police officer said.
