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The police filed a case with Kotwali police station on Wednesday against over 600 people, mostly supporters of the International Sri Krishna Bhavanamrit Sangh, better known as ISKCON, for their alleged involvement in creating unrest, acid attacks, and assaulting officials of law enforcement agencies in Chattogram Tuesday evening.

The police said that the case named 49 people, already arrested in the case, and 500 to 600 unknown other people as accused over the incident in the port city’s Hazari Lane centring a ‘derogatory’ Facebook post about ISKCON.

They said that nine police officials were injured in the attack and one of them was injured due to acid attack.

The authorities are also probing whether there was any political motive behind the incident, the police said.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner for crime and operations, Roish Uddin, made these disclosures at a press briefing at the Dampara Police Lines media center on Wednesday.

‘The incident began centring a Facebook post about ISKCON by Osman Ali, which led our Kotwali police station to respond to a 999 emergency call. Upon arrival, officers found a crowd attempting to seize Osman Ali,’ he said.

‘As tension was prevailing, additional police and army personnel were deployed. In the ensuing clash, the crowd threw brick bats and acid at the police, injuring nine officers, one of whom suffered acid burns,’ he added.

‘Although we detained dozens of individuals from the scene, 49 have been shown arrested in the case and 33 others were handed over to their family members after scrutiny. Most of them are reportedly ISKCON supporters,’ he said.

Regarding the temporary sealing off several medicine shops in Hazari Lane, which reportedly caused difficulties for patients in the city, he said, ‘Some shops were temporarily closed by the district administration to prevent vandalism or looting.’

The DC said that those involved in the incident chanted the slogan ‘Jai Sriram’. ‘After analysing the social media activities and misinformation shared on Facebook, we found involvement of ISKCON supporters.’

Responding to a question whether there was any political motive behind the incident, he said, ‘We are continuing to question the suspects to determine if there was any political connection behind the incident. Our efforts to maintain peace and prevent further violence are going on.’

Asked whether legal action would be taken against Osman Ali for his Facebook post, he said, ‘Osman is currently in custody. If a formal complaint is lodged by anyone who feels religiously offended, legal steps will be taken against him.’

He said that the police filed a case with the Kotwali police station under the Acid Prevention Act and for attacking law enforcement officials and obstructing them from discharging their duties.