Dhaka: Bangladeshi authorities on Sunday arrested three men in connection with the hacking and burning to death of a Hindu businessman in Shariatpur district, a crime that has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country.
The victim, Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was attacked near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya area of Shariatpur, around 100 kilometres south of Dhaka, on Wednesday night. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday after battling for life for several days.
According to reports by leading daily Prothom Alo, a team of the Rapid Action Battalion arrested the three accused from Kishoreganj district, nearly 100 kilometres northeast of the capital, early Sunday morning. The accused have been identified as Sohag Khan, 27, Rabbi Molya, 21, and Palash Sardar, 25, all residents of Damudya.
Superintendent of Police Mir Monir Hossain, company commander of the RAB’s Madaripur camp, told local media that the accused were being brought to the Madaripur camp for further legal proceedings. Madaripur is located about 20 kilometres from Shariatpur.
Das, who ran a medicine shop and was also involved in mobile banking services, was travelling in an autorickshaw when his assailants intercepted the vehicle. Police said he was allegedly beaten, attacked with sharp weapons and then doused with petrol before being set on fire.
In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das reportedly jumped into a roadside pond as locals raised an alarm, forcing the attackers to flee. He was rescued by residents and initially taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital before being shifted to Dhaka due to the severity of his injuries.
Doctors treating him in Dhaka said he had sustained multiple injuries across his body, including a deep 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, as reported by news portal BDNews24.
Das’ killing marks the fifth death of a member of the Hindu community since December, according to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council. The organisation’s spokesperson, Kajol Debnath, said radical groups appear to be using violence to intimidate religious minorities, raising alarm over the deteriorating security situation for minority communities in Bangladesh.
