Hindu man attacked in Bangladesh: Mob pours petrol, sets him on fire; victim critical

A brutal attack on a Hindu businessman in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district on New Year’s Eve has left him fighting for his life after he was assaulted by a group of miscreants and set on fire, triggering fresh concern over a spate of recent mob violence incidents in the country.

The incident took place around 9.30 pm in the Damudya area, near Keurbhanga Bazar in the Koneshwar Union. The victim, 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das, was reportedly waylaid, beaten and doused with petrol before being set ablaze, reported news agency ANI, citing Prothom Alo.Das was later shifted to Dhaka for advanced treatment as his condition worsened, the report said.Police sources said Das is a resident of Tiloi village in Koneshwar Union and runs a pharmacy along with a mobile banking business at Keurbhanga Bazar.

On Wednesday night, after shutting his shop, he was returning home in an auto-rickshaw when the attackers stopped the vehicle on the Damudya–Shariatpur road near the market and assaulted him.According to Prothom Alo, the miscreants attacked him with sharp weapons before setting him on fire. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond along the roadside. Hearing his cries, local residents rushed to the spot, forcing the attackers to flee.

Locals later rescued Das and rushed him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he was given first aid in the emergency ward. He was referred to Dhaka later that night for advanced treatment due to the seriousness of his injuries.Sima Das, the victim’s wife, said the family was struggling to understand why he was targeted. “My husband returns home every night after closing his shop with the day's sales money. On Wednesday night, criminals attacked him.

He recognised two of the attackers, and because of that, they assaulted him with the intention to kill--hacking him and setting fire to his head and face after pouring petrol on him. We have no enemies in the area.

We have no disputes with anyone over any matter. We cannot understand why the criminals suddenly targeted my husband.”Nazrul Islam, a doctor at the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, said the victim had multiple injuries when he was brought in.

He added that one abdominal injury was particularly serious, prompting doctors to refer him to Dhaka. Das also suffered burn injuries on his face, the back of his head and his hands.Mohammad Rabiul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Damudya Police Station, said police swung into action after receiving information about the attack. “After receiving information about a terrorist attack on a businessman at Keurbhanga Bazar, we went to the scene.

The names of two of the attackers have been identified. They are local residents Rabbi and Sohag. Efforts are underway to arrest them. We are also trying to identify others who may be involved in the incident,” he said, as quoted by Prothom Alo.The attack comes amid a series of violent incidents targeting members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Last month, two Hindu youths were lynched in separate incidents. Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker in Mymensingh district, was beaten to death over alleged blasphemy charges on December 18, after which his body was reportedly hanged and set on fire.In another case, a Hindu youth identified as Amrit Mondal was lynched in Hosendanga village of Kalimohor Union in Rajbari’s Pangsha sub-district over an alleged extortion dispute.These incidents have triggered widespread outrage and condemnation from political leaders, religious organisations and minority groups in both Bangladesh and India.