Unknown attackers reportedly burned 23-year-old Hindu man Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik alive while he slept in a garage in Narsingdi, approximately 50 km from Dhaka. The incident has raised fears over the security of minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly with national elections approaching.
Bhowmik, the son of Khokan Chandra Bhowmik from Lakshmipur village in Cumilla district, worked at a garage in the Khanabari Mosque Market area near Narsingdi Police Lines.
On Friday night, after completing his work, he fell asleep inside the garage when unknown individuals allegedly set it on fire.
The garage stored large amounts of petrol, engine oil, and other flammable materials, which caused the blaze to spread rapidly. Bhowmik became trapped inside and died from severe burn injuries and asphyxiation. Eyewitnesses described the attack as a ‘deliberate act of murder’.
Authorities have recovered CCTV footage from nearby cameras that reportedly shows the attackers in action.
A police official said, “The police are conducting a thorough investigation, considering the seriousness of the case. We have recovered the body and seized the CCTV footage. Several police teams are working to identify and arrest the culprits.”
The 2022 census estimates Bangladesh’s Hindu population at 13.13 million. This accounts for around 8 per cent of the country’s total population.
In recent weeks, violence targeting Hindus has reportedly increased. This has prompted concern from India over the safety of its minority community in the neighbouring country.
This attack follows other recent incidents. These include the death of a Hindu sweetshop owner in Gazipur, the arson of a Hindu household in Sylhet, and the stabbing of a Hindu autorickshaw driver in Feni.
Such acts have heightened anxiety among minority communities. Authorities now face scrutiny over their ability to safeguard vulnerable populations ahead of the upcoming elections.
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