3 Arrested for Hindu Businessman’s Death in Bangladesh

Three people were arrested on Sunday in connection with the hacking and burning to death of a Hindu businessman in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district, according to local media reports.

The victim, Khokon Chandra Das (50), was attacked near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya, about 100 km south of Dhaka, on Wednesday night and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

Bangladesh’s leading daily Prothom Alo reported that a team of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested the accused from Kishoreganj district, around 100 km northeast of the capital, on Sunday morning. The arrested persons have been identified as Damudyar Sohag Khan (27), Rabbi Molya (21) and Palash Sardar (25).

RAB Madaripur Camp Company Commander SP Mir Monir Hossain said the accused were being brought to the Madaripur camp for further legal proceedings. Madaripur is located about 20 km from Shariatpur.

According to police and media reports, Das, who owned a medicine shop and also ran a mobile banking business, was travelling in an autorickshaw when the attackers intercepted the vehicle. They allegedly beat him, hacked him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on him and set him on fire.

In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond as locals raised an alarm, forcing the attackers to flee. He was rescued by residents and first taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, before being referred to Dhaka due to the severity of his injuries.

Doctors in Dhaka said Das suffered multiple injuries, including a serious abdominal wound, along with severe burn injuries to his face, head and hands.

Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Rawnak Jahan said the victim had named the accused before his death, news portal BDNews24 reported.

Das’ killing marks the fifth death of a member of the Hindu community since December, raising concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has alleged that radical groups are attempting to intimidate minority communities through targeted violence.

Read Also : Collective Efforts Needed to Protect Youth from Drug Abuse: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla