A Hindu man lost his life in Bangladesh after jumping into a water body while trying to escape a group of people who were allegedly chasing him on suspicion of theft, police officials confirmed on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Naogaon district.
The deceased has been identified as Mithun Sarkar, according to media reports.
Naogaon Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam was quoted in the media saying that Sarkar was pursued by a mob following allegations of theft. In an attempt to save himself, he leapt into nearby water but did not survive.
Police were alerted shortly after the incident, and Sarkar’s body was later recovered with assistance from the fire service. Authorities have sent the body for post-mortem examination and stated that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances leading to his death.
This incident adds to a growing list of violent episodes targeting members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, which has witnessed heightened tensions since the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December last year.
The wave of violence reportedly began on December 18, when Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob after rumours of blasphemy spread following Hadi’s death. Das was tied to a tree and set ablaze, allegations that were later found to be false.
In another recent case, a 40-year-old Hindu shopkeeper, Moni Chakraborty, was killed in Narsingdi district. According to local media reports, Chakraborty was attacked with a sharp weapon late Monday night at Charsindhur Bazar in Palash Upazila. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot while returning home after closing his grocery shop.
Police officials stated that Chakraborty, son of Madan Thakur from Shibpur Upazila, had been running his shop in the area for many years. He is reportedly the third Hindu businessman to be killed in recent weeks.
The killing took place just hours after another Hindu businessman and journalist, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead in Jessore district. Bairagi, who also served as the acting editor of a local newspaper, was attacked by unidentified assailants at Kapalia Bazaar on Monday evening.
Earlier this month, on January 3, Khokon Chandra Das, aged 50, died after being brutally assaulted, hacked, and set on fire. On December 24, Amrit Mondal was allegedly lynched in Rajbari’s Pangsha Upazila following accusations related to extortion.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing in all cases as concerns grow over the safety of minority communities amid continuing unrest in the country.
Also Read: Chaos Follows Radical’s Death In Bangladesh https://www.vibesofindia.com/chaos-follows-radicals-death-in-bangladesh/
