Bangladesh Violence: Third Hindu Murder in 12 Days in Bangladesh: Security Guard Shot Dead in Garment Factory

Bangladesh is currently witnessing a disturbing surge in violence targeting religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community. The recent fatal shooting of a Hindu employee inside a garment factory in the Mymensingh district marks the third such incident involving a Hindu in Bangladesh within a mere 12-day period. This alarming trend raises serious questions about the safety and security of. Minorities in the country and points to a broader atmosphere of unrest.

Security Guard Shot in Mymensingh Factory

The tragic incident unfolded on Monday evening, around 6:45 PM, within the premises of Sultana Sweaters Limited factory in the Bhaluka sub-district. The deceased has been identified as Bajendra Biswas, a 42-year-old security guard employed at the factory. Police have arrested Noman Mia, a 29-year-old colleague of Biswas, who was also on security duty at the same facility. According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, both individuals were on their respective security shifts when an altercation or conversation took place. During this interaction, Noman Mia reportedly pointed a government-issued shotgun at Bajendra Biswas. Moments later, the firearm discharged, striking Biswas in his left thigh, which proved fatal. The incident sent shockwaves through the factory and has instilled fear within the local community. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the precise motives behind this deadly shooting.

A Spate of Violence: Three Hindus Killed in Two Weeks

Bajendra Biswas's murder isn't an isolated event but rather part of a troubling pattern of violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. This marks the third such incident within the span of two. Weeks, Importantly escalating concerns regarding the safety of minorities in the nation. These consecutive acts of violence have drawn both local and international attention, prompting scrutiny of Bangladesh's commitment to religious tolerance and the overall state of law and order, while this pattern suggests a deeper societal issue that demands immediate and comprehensive attention from the authorities.

Amrit Mandal Beaten to Death in Rajbari

Prior to this, on Wednesday, December 24, at approximately 11:00 PM, another Hindu youth was brutally beaten to death by a mob in Hosendanga village, Rajbari district, while the victim was identified as 29-year-old Amrit Mandal, also known as Samrat, a resident of Hosendanga village. According to initial police statements, Amrit Mandal was killed by the mob on charges of extortion. Police further disclosed that Mandal had two previous cases registered against. Him at Pangsha police station, one of which involved a murder charge. This incident highlights the dangerous prevalence of mob justice and the tendency for individuals to take the law into their own hands, posing a severe challenge to a civilized society.

Deepu Chandra Das Lynched on False Blasphemy Charges

Even earlier, on December 18, a Hindu youth named Deepu Chandra Das was brutally murdered by a mob near Dhaka. Following his murder, his body was tragically hanged from a tree and subsequently burned, underscoring the extreme barbarity of the crime, while deepu Chandra Das's killing was reportedly instigated by false accusations of blasphemy. Allegations circulated on social media claiming that Das had made offensive comments on Facebook that hurt religious sentiments. However, subsequent investigations found no evidence to substantiate these claims. Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, Company Commander of Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), informed 'The Daily Star' newspaper that the investigation yielded no evidence to prove that Deepu Das had posted any objectionable or religiously inflammatory content on Facebook. This revelation exposes the baseless nature of the mob's actions and the perilous impact of unverified rumors.

Context of Unrest: Usman Hadi's Death and Subsequent Violence

Deepu Chandra Das's murder occurred amidst widespread violence that had erupted across Bangladesh. This unrest was triggered by the death of Sharif Usman bin Hadi, a 32-year-old leader of the Inqilab Manch, while usman Hadi was a prominent leader of the student movement that opposed the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. He was widely regarded as anti-Sheikh Hasina and anti-India. On December 12, he was shot during an election campaign, while the Yunus government arranged for his treatment in Singapore, but Hadi succumbed to his injuries and died on December 18.

Following his death, incidents of arson and vandalism were reported in the capital Dhaka and four other cities. During this period, mobs set fire to the offices of two major Bangladeshi newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, while it's alleged that Hadi's supporter, Elias Hossain, used a Facebook post to call for people to gather in the Rajbagh area, where the offices of these two newspapers are located. Usman Hadi himself had frequently criticized Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in his speeches, accusing them of being pro-Hindu and questioning their secular stance. This broader atmosphere of political unrest and polarization creates a fertile ground for violence against minority communities.

The recent string of incidents in Bangladesh raises profound questions about the state of law and order and the safety of religious minorities in the country. The shooting death of a security guard, mob lynchings, and brutal acts based on false. Blasphemy charges all paint a grim picture of a society grappling with escalating violence and intolerance. It's imperative that the government and relevant authorities conduct thorough investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice, thereby preventing future occurrences and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, especially those belonging to minority communities.