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A 50-year-old Hindu businessman, Khokan Chandra Das, died on Saturday after succumbing to severe burn injuries sustained in a mob attack in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district, marking the fourth killing of a Hindu citizen in the country within the past 12 days. The incident has intensified concerns over the safety of religious minorities and renewed demands for accountability from authorities.
Das, who owned a small pharmacy at Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya Upazila, was attacked on the night of January 1 while returning home after closing his shop. According to police and hospital officials, he was assaulted with sharp-edged weapons, doused with petrol and set on fire by assailants near the marketplace.
Confirming his death, Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, Professor at Dhaka’s National Burn Institute, said Das passed away at 7:20 am on Saturday while undergoing treatment. Hospital sources stated that nearly 30 per cent of his body had suffered burns, with critical injuries to his face and respiratory tract. He had been battling for life for nearly three days.
Police said that in an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond, prompting nearby residents to raise an alarm. The attackers fled before locals could intervene. He was initially admitted to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital and later referred to Dhaka due to the severity of his condition.
Das’s wife, Seema Das, told media outlets that her husband was intercepted just outside their home and attacked without provocation. She alleged that Das had earlier identified some individuals who may have been involved, which could have triggered the assault. Police have named two suspects, identified as Rabbi and Sohag, and said efforts are underway to arrest all those involved.
Family members have demanded a thorough investigation and swift justice. “Those responsible must be identified and arrested without delay. No one should be spared,” said Pranto Das, the victim’s nephew-in-law.
The killing is the second reported attack on a Hindu man in Bangladesh within the last 15 days and part of a broader pattern of violence reported since mid-December. On December 18, a Hindu youth, Deepu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy claims later found to be baseless. On December 24, Amrit Mandal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death in Rajbari district, while on December 29, Bajendra Biswas, a factory security guard, was shot dead in Mymensingh.
Rights groups and community leaders have warned that the recent spate of attacks underscores the growing vulnerability of religious minorities and have urged Bangladeshi authorities to strengthen law enforcement, ensure impartial investigations and restore public confidence.
Das, who owned a small pharmacy at Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya Upazila, was attacked on the night of January 1 while returning home after closing his shop. According to police and hospital officials, he was assaulted with sharp-edged weapons, doused with petrol and set on fire by assailants near the marketplace.
Confirming his death, Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, Professor at Dhaka’s National Burn Institute, said Das passed away at 7:20 am on Saturday while undergoing treatment. Hospital sources stated that nearly 30 per cent of his body had suffered burns, with critical injuries to his face and respiratory tract. He had been battling for life for nearly three days.
Police said that in an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond, prompting nearby residents to raise an alarm. The attackers fled before locals could intervene. He was initially admitted to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital and later referred to Dhaka due to the severity of his condition.
Das’s wife, Seema Das, told media outlets that her husband was intercepted just outside their home and attacked without provocation. She alleged that Das had earlier identified some individuals who may have been involved, which could have triggered the assault. Police have named two suspects, identified as Rabbi and Sohag, and said efforts are underway to arrest all those involved.
Family members have demanded a thorough investigation and swift justice. “Those responsible must be identified and arrested without delay. No one should be spared,” said Pranto Das, the victim’s nephew-in-law.
The killing is the second reported attack on a Hindu man in Bangladesh within the last 15 days and part of a broader pattern of violence reported since mid-December. On December 18, a Hindu youth, Deepu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy claims later found to be baseless. On December 24, Amrit Mandal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death in Rajbari district, while on December 29, Bajendra Biswas, a factory security guard, was shot dead in Mymensingh.
Rights groups and community leaders have warned that the recent spate of attacks underscores the growing vulnerability of religious minorities and have urged Bangladeshi authorities to strengthen law enforcement, ensure impartial investigations and restore public confidence.
