In a disturbing continuation of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, a 50-year-old Hindu businessman was brutally assaulted and set on fire by a mob on New Year's Eve. The victim, Khokon Chandra Das, sustained severe injuries in the attack in Damudya, Shariatpur.
Details of the Brutal Assault
The incident occurred on Wednesday, around 9:30 pm local time, near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya's Koneshwar Union. According to the local newspaper Prothom Alo, Khokon Chandra Das was returning to his home in Tiloi village in an auto-rickshaw when attackers stopped the vehicle on the Damudya-Shariatpur road.
The assailants, who reportedly used sharp weapons, seriously injured him, doused him with petrol, and set him on fire. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond. Local residents, alerted by his screams, rushed to the scene, forcing the attackers to flee.
Victim's Condition and Police Investigation
Das, who runs a pharmacy and mobile banking business in Keurbhanga Bazar, was initially treated at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. Dr. Nazrul Islam from the hospital's emergency department confirmed the victim had multiple injuries, including a serious abdominal wound, and burn injuries on his face, the back of his head, and hands. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to Dhaka for advanced medical care.
Mohammad Rabiul Haque, the Officer-in-Charge of Damudya Police Station, stated that police visited the scene after receiving reports. Two suspects, identified as local residents Rabbi and Sohag, have been named. Authorities are working to arrest them and are investigating the possible involvement of others.
A Pattern of Violence Against Minorities
This attack is not an isolated event. It follows two other horrific cases of mob violence against Hindu youths in Bangladesh last month.
- On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker in Mymensingh, was killed by a mob over alleged blasphemy. His body was hanged and set ablaze.
- Around the same period, Amrit Mondal was lynched in Hosendanga village of Rajbari's Pangsha sub-district over an extortion dispute.
The wife of Khokon Chandra Das, Sima Das, expressed shock and confusion over the attack. "We have no enemies in the area," she told reporters. "We have no disputes with anyone over any matter. We cannot understand why the criminals suddenly targeted my husband." She revealed that her husband had recognized two of the attackers, which may have escalated the assailants' intent to kill.
These consecutive incidents have sparked grave concerns about the safety and security of religious minorities in Bangladesh, highlighting a troubling pattern of mob violence that demands urgent attention from authorities.
