Police last night took a businessman into custody after a mob attacked and vandalized his shop on Hazari Lane in Chattogram over a Facebook post.

The man allegedly made a post on Facebook criticizing ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), a Hindu religious organization. It sparked anger among the local Hindu community, police and local sources said.

During the operation to rescue the businessman, six officers sustained injuries as the mob pelted them with pieces of brick and chemicals (used to purify gold).

At least five locals were injured when security forces charged batons to disperse the crowd, the sources added.

The incident took place between 18.00 and 20.30.

The man owns a shop in Mia Commercial Complex on Hazari Lane, which is known for its wholesale markets for medicines and gold.

Police sources said a group of 20 to 25 people, angered by his Facebook post, attacked and vandalized his shop.

Witnesses said local Hindu businessmen stepped in to protect him by closing shop.

A team from the Bakshirhat police outpost reached the spot but struggled to control the situation. Additional Kotwali police and army personnel later joined to restore order, they said.

Following the incident, both the drug and gold markets were shut down to prevent further escalation.

A police official, speaking anonymously, told The Daily Star: “Describing the Facebook post as disrespectful, around 30 youths confronted the businessman at his shop and eventually – they attacked. Local Hindu businessmen stepped in to protect him and alerted the police.”

Chattogram Metropolitan Police spokesperson Kazi Tarek Aziz told this newspaper that six officers were injured and admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. One of them suffered burns.

CMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Abdul Mannan confirmed the businessman was in police custody, adding: “The situation is now under control and an investigation is underway.”