In a shocking incident, a Hindu worker was shot and killed while on duty at a garment factory in Bangladesh. The event has sent ripples of concern amidst reports of increasing violence against minority communities in the country.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday at the Sultana Sweaters Limited factory located in the Mehrabari area of Mymensingh. The victim has been identified as Bajendra Biswas. According to reports from local media cited by the ANI news agency, the accused is a fellow member of the Ansar force, Noman Mia, who has since been arrested.
The shooting occurred around 6:30 pm on Monday. Police reports indicate that approximately 20 Ansar members were present on duty at the time. In a sudden and brutal act, Noman Mia allegedly pressed a shotgun against Bajendra Biswas’s thigh and fired. The critically injured worker was rushed to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Eyewitness Account and Absence of Motive
An eyewitness to the event, APC Md Azahar Ali—an Ansar member also on duty—provided a chilling account. He confirmed that Noman Mia and Bajendra Biswas were sitting together in a room when, without any prior warning or visible argument, Mia pressed the gun against Biswas's thigh. He reportedly asked, "Shall I shoot?" before pulling the trigger. Following the shooting, Noman Mia fled the scene.
Azahar Ali explicitly stated that he did not witness any argument or dispute between the two men prior to the incident, leaving the motive for the attack unclear and adding to the senseless nature of the crime.
A Pattern of Violence Against Minorities
This killing is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing trend in Bangladesh. The nation has recently reported a spike in attacks targeting minority communities, particularly Hindus.
Just a week before this shooting, another Hindu man, Dipu Das, was lynched and set on fire, also in the Mymensingh district. In a separate incident, a Hindu man named Amrit Mondal was lynched over allegations of extortion. These consecutive acts of violence have raised serious alarms about the safety and security of religious minorities in the region.
The fatal shooting of Bajendra Biswas underscores an urgent need for authorities to address this escalating pattern and ensure robust protection for all citizens, irrespective of their faith.
