Hindu Businessman Dies After Petrol Attack in Bangladesh
The killing comes amid growing concern over violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh
Dhaka: Khokan Chandra Das, a middle-aged Hindu businessman who ran a pharmacy at Keurbhanga Bazar in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district, died on Saturday morning while undergoing treatment for burn injuries at the National Burn Institute in Dhaka.
“Khokon Das, who was injured in a fire attack in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur, passed away at 7:20 this morning at the National Burn Institute,” Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, Professor at the institute, told ANI over the phone.
Hospital sources said Das had been under treatment for nearly three days and had suffered burns over about 30 per cent of his body, with severe injuries to his face and respiratory tract. Authorities said formalities were underway to send his body back to his village home.
Das’s nephew-in-law, Pranto Das, told ANI that the family was demanding a proper investigation and justice. He said none of the perpetrators should be allowed to escape and all those identified must be arrested immediately.
Earlier, Das’s wife, Seema Das, broke down while speaking to ANI. Holding her infant child, she said her husband was attacked by miscreants as he was about to enter his house. “My husband was stopped by a mob, petrol was poured on him and he was set on fire. He lived a peaceful life and had no enmity with anyone. We cannot understand the motive behind the attack,” she said.
According to local newspaper Prothom Alo, the attack took place around 9:30 pm on New Year’s Eve near Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union of Damudya. Das was returning home after closing his shop when a group of assailants allegedly stopped him, assaulted him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on him and set him on fire.
In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond. Hearing his screams, locals rushed to the spot, forcing the attackers to flee. He was first taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital and later referred to Dhaka as his condition worsened.
Nazrul Islam, a doctor at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, said Das had multiple injuries, including a serious abdominal wound and burns on his face, head and hands.
Damudya police said Das, a resident of Tiloi village, also operated a mobile banking business. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said two suspects, identified as local residents Rabbi and Sohag, had been named and efforts were underway to arrest them and identify others involved.
The killing comes amid growing concern over violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. In recent weeks, multiple incidents involving the deaths of Hindu individuals have sparked outrage and condemnation from political leaders, religious groups and minority organisations in Bangladesh and India.