Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday warned of stern action against those inciting violence, a day after four people were killed in police firing on hundreds of Muslims protesting an alleged blasphemous Facebook post by a Hindu man.
On Sunday morning, hundreds of Muslims gathered in southwestern Bhola district, 116 kilometers from Dhaka, for a protest rally under the banner of 'Muslim Tawhidi Janata', demanding action against the Hindu man for his alleged social media posts.
As authorities stepped security across Bangladesh, Prime Minister Hasina warned of stern actions against anyone trying to foment trouble.
She said her government had launched an investigation to identify the culprits.
According to initial investigation, Hasina said, Hindu youth Biplop Chandra Baidya's Facebook account was hacked by a Muslim man.
She said Baidya was being blackmailed to pay 20,000 Bangladeshi Taka (USD 235) or blasphemous content would be posted from his Facebook account.
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The police has taken Baidya into protective custody, after he lodged a complaint with them, alleging that his Faceboook account had been hacked.
"Punitive measures must be taken against anyone who wanted to disrespect Prophet Muhammad, but at the same time if anyone tries to frame another person, action will be taken against them as well," the prime minister said.
Hasina said, "How can a Muslim write something bad about the Prophet and use it to frame someone else?"
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