Days after the killings of Dipu Chandra Das and Bajendra Biswas, another member of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community has been brutally attacked in Damudya, Shariatpur district. A 50-year-old Hindu businessman was injured after miscreants hacked him with sharp weapons and set him on fire on Wednesday night.
According to a report by Prothom Alo, the victim, identified as Khokon Chandra Das, was assaulted near Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union at around 9:30 pm. Petrol was allegedly poured on him before his body was set ablaze.
Attack While Returning Home
Police sources said Khokon Chandra Das, a resident of Tilai village in Ward No. 3 of Koneshwar Union, runs a medicine shop and a mobile banking business at Keurbhanga Bazar. He was returning home in a CNG-powered autorickshaw after closing his shop and collecting the day’s sales proceeds when the attack occurred.
Miscreants reportedly stopped the autorickshaw on the Damudya–Shariatpur road, assaulted him, and attacked him with sharp weapons. They then poured petrol on his head and set him on fire.
In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond. The attackers fled after locals raised an alarm. He was rescued and taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital around 10 pm and was later shifted to Dhaka for advanced treatment due to the severity of his injuries.
Condition Critical
Dr Nazrul Islam of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital said the victim had multiple injuries and burn wounds.
“He has injury marks on various parts of his body. One of the injuries to his stomach is serious. He also has burn marks on his face, the back of his head and his hands,” the doctor said.
Motive Under Investigation
According to the victim’s wife, Seema Das, the attackers may have tried to kill her husband because he recognised two of them.
“My husband recognised two of the attackers. That is why they tried to kill him by hacking him and setting him on fire. We have no disputes with anyone,” she told Prothom Alo.
Police Action
Bangladesh Police said they are investigating the case and have identified two suspects.
“We visited the scene after receiving information about the attack on a businessman. The names of two attackers have been identified, and efforts are underway to arrest them,” Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said.
Rising Tensions
The attack comes amid reports of increased violence against members of the Hindu minority community following recent political unrest in Bangladesh. The country has been facing instability since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled after student-led protests in July–August 2024.