Police have arrested two individuals for their involvement in the performance of an Islamic song at a puja mandap in Chattogram city.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Kazi Md Tareq Aziz confirming the matter said they were apprehended in the early hours of Friday.

Details of the arrest will be made known at a press conference later on the day, he said, adding that a case was filed over the issue.

A group of six youths disrupted the celebration of Durga Puja at the JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap in the port city, singing two songs, including an Islamic one, which angered the Hindu community.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media drawing widespread criticism.

Rumour Scanner, an independent Bangladeshi fact-checking website that debunks fake news, myths, and misinformation, confirmed that the viral video was real and unedited.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom visited the venue on Thursday night and said the authorities would arrest the youths within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Bangladesh Puja Celebration Committee, Chattogram General Secretary Sukanta Mohajan Tutul said they identified the individuals as members of the Chattogram Cultural Academy.

The youths initially informed the committee members that they would sing a patriotic song but instead sang two songs, he said.

Chattogram Cultural Academy President Selim Jaman claimed that the Puja Celebration Committee invited them to perform.

BDST: 1621 HRS, OCT 11, 2024
MSK