Bangladesh unrest: Third Hindu killed in 12 days; garment factory security guard shot dead by co-worker
PTC Web Desk: A Hindu employee was shot dead inside a garment factory in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, marking the third killing of a Hindu in the country within the past 12 days, raising fresh concerns over minority safety.
The incident occurred around 6.45 pm on Monday at Sultana Sweaters Limited, located in Bhaluka Upazila. The deceased has been identified as Bajendra Biswas (42), who was working as a security guard at the factory. The police have arrested the accused, Noman Mia (29), a co-worker deployed on security duty at the same facility.
According to police officials and eyewitnesses, an argument broke out between the two guards during duty hours. During the exchange, Noman allegedly pointed a government-issued shotgun at Bajendra. Moments later, the weapon went off, and the bullet struck Bajendra in the left thigh, causing excessive bleeding. He succumbed to his injuries before receiving adequate medical treatment.
Three Hindu killing in two weeks
The killing of Bajendra Biswas is the third such incident involving members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh in less than two weeks.
On December 24, a 29-year-old Hindu man, Amrit Mondal alias Samrat, was allegedly beaten to death by a mob in Hossendanga village of Rajbari district. Police said the mob accused him of extortion. Amrit, a resident of the same village, reportedly had two cases registered against him, including one related to murder.
Earlier, on December 18, another Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched near Dhaka over alleged blasphemy claims. The attackers later hung his body from a tree and set it on fire. However, investigators later revealed that no evidence was found to support claims that Dipu had posted any objectionable or religiously offensive content on social media.
Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) confirmed that no proof was found to substantiate allegations that Dipu Das had hurt religious sentiments through Facebook posts. RAB Company Commander told The Daily Star that the claims circulating online were false and unverified.
Violence after student leader’s death
The killing of Dipu Das coincided with widespread violence following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Bin Hadi (32), a prominent figure of the Inqilab Manch, who was known for his opposition to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and alleged anti-India stance.
Hadi was shot on December 12 during election campaigning and was later airlifted to Singapore for treatment by the Yunus-led interim government. He succumbed to his injuries on December 18, triggering violent protests across Dhaka and three other cities.
Following his death, mobs allegedly set fire to the offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers The Daily Star and Prothom Alo in Dhaka’s Rajbagh area.
Hadi had often criticised both newspapers in his speeches, accusing them of being secular and alleging that they were sympathetic towards Hindus.
- With inputs from agencies
