Hindu Shopkeeper Killed in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi; Sixth Hindu Death Reported in 18 Days

A 40-year-old Hindu shopkeeper, identified as Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was killed on Monday night in Narsingdi district, near Dhaka, after being attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants, local media reported.

According to Weeklyblitz, residents and eyewitnesses said the attack occurred while Mani was running his grocery shop at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila. The attackers allegedly arrived suddenly, assaulted him with sharp weapons and fled the scene. Mani sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to hospital.

The killing marks the sixth reported death of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh within the past 18 days, raising fresh concerns over the safety of minority communities.

Local media reported that on December 19, Mani had posted on Facebook expressing concern over rising violence, describing his birthplace as having turned into a “valley of death.” Police have launched an investigation, though no arrests have been made so far.

Another Hindu Man Shot Dead in Jessore

The Narsingdi incident comes hours after the killing of another Hindu man in Jessore district. According to Prothom Alo, Rana Pratap Bairagi, an ice factory owner, was shot dead in public on Monday in the Monirampur area.

Bairagi owned an ice manufacturing unit in Kapalia Bazar and was also the acting editor of the newspaper ‘Dainik BD Khobor’, published from Narail.

Police said three assailants arrived on a motorcycle, called Bairagi out of his factory, took him into a nearby alley and shot him at close range in the head before fleeing. He died on the spot.

Monirampur police station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Raziullah Khan told Prothom Alo that the body has been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination. The motive behind the killing remains unclear.

Growing Concerns Over Minority Safety

The recent killings come amid increasing reports of violence and insecurity faced by minority communities in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Khokon Das, a Hindu man, died after being brutally attacked and set on fire on New Year’s Eve. According to reports, attackers assaulted him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on his body and set him ablaze. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond.

Hearing his screams, local residents rushed to the scene, forcing the attackers to flee. Das was initially taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital and later referred to Dhaka as his condition worsened. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities have said investigations are ongoing in all the cases.

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