Six Hindus killed in Bangladesh in 18 days

Violence against Hindus continues in Bangladesh, with six people killed so far in just 18 days. In recent days, miscreants have been repeatedly targeting members of the Hindu community.

Most recently, two murders took place within a span of 24 hours. Mani Chakrabarti, a grocery shop owner, was attacked with sharp weapons and killed by assailants. Just a few hours earlier, journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi was also murdered. The killing of the shopkeeper occurred only hours after the journalist’s murder.

The latest incident took place at the busy Charsindur Bazaar in Narsingdi district, one of the most crowded areas in Bangladesh. Mani Chakrabarti ran a grocery store in the local market. On Monday night, while he was at his shop, attackers barged in and assaulted him with weapons, leaving him critically injured.

Locals rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he had already succumbed to his injuries. Fellow traders said Mani Chakrabarti was a good businessman and had no disputes or enmity with anyone. Frequent incidents of violence in Bangladesh have created fear among local residents.

Family members and acquaintances said Mani Chakrabarti led a very simple life and had no personal rivalries. They also noted that on December 19, he had posted on social media expressing deep anguish over the growing violence in Bangladesh, stating that his birthplace was turning into a hub of violence.

On the same day, another Hindu man was killed in Jashore district. In Kopalia Bazaar of Manirampur upazila, miscreants shot dead 45-year-old journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi in broad daylight at the market. He died on the spot.

Rana Pratap Bairagi was the acting editor of the Daily BD Khabor newspaper, published from Narail, and was also associated with an ice factory business in the same area. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

The series of killings reportedly began with the lynching of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, and has continued since then. In another incident, Amrit Mandal was killed, while Bajendra Biswas lost his life in a shooting in Mymensingh. On December 31, Khokan Chandra Das was attacked and set on fire in Shariatpur district, and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

These back-to-back incidents have raised serious concerns over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.