Hindu youth Utsab Mandal, who was beaten by a mob over blasphemy allegations in Khulna in Bangladesh, is alive, said the Directorate of Inter Services Public Relations of the country. A statement issued by ISPR said that Utsab Mandal is being treated at a hospital under army supervision and is out of danger.
It has also been reported that to disperse the bloodthirsty mob, announcements were made from loudspeakers of nearby mosques announcing that the Hindu youth had died, after which the mob retreated.
The ISPR issued the statement after several media houses reported that the college student was killed by the mob after snatching him from the police and the army. The directorate said that Mandal was rescued alive by the efforts of armed forces and then admitted to hospital. The army asked the people to not believe in rumours circulating on social media claiming that the youth was dead.
The statement issued by ISPR states that after Utsab Mandal is released from hospital, he will be handed over to law enforcement agencies as he is booked in a blasphemy case. Referring to the attempt to lynch him by an Islamist mob, the statement said that the Bangladesh army is always committed to preventing extrajudicial killings and upholding the rule of law.
Notably, Utsab Mandal was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad on social media, and students of Khulna’s Azam Khan Government Commerce College took him to the office of Khulna Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner (South) on 4th September at around 8 PM.
But in the meantime, as the word spread about the incident, a large mob gathered at the spot, demanding that the Hindu boy be handed over to them. The mob of 3000-5000 people surrounded the office, calling for instant justice. Deputy Police Commissioner Tazul said police had assured the mob that a case would be filed against Utsab and that he would be brought to justice through legal means.
But the mob didn’t agree, and assaulted him, leaving him critically injured. Army and Navy personnel arrived at the scene to control the situation. But despite the presence of police, army and navy forces, the mob managed to break into the DCP office and attacked Utsab Mandal who was held by the police.
After the brutal assault, it was assumed that he had died as he was lying on the ground seemingly lifeless. However, the armed forces rescued him and rushed to the hospital. Now ISPR has confirmed that Mandal is out of danger.
As per reports, police got announcements made from mosque loudspeakers that Utsab has died, in an attempt to disperse the violent mob and restore order. That is the reason why initial reports said that he was lynched by the mob. However, later many of the reports by Bangladeshi media were removed from their portals.
However, the Hindu student will still face legal action as a case has been registered against him over the alleged blasphemous social media post against the prophet. ISPR said that legal procedure has been initiated against him for hurting religious sentiments, and he will be handed over to police subject to his health.
