Another Hindu dies in Bangladesh: Khokon Das succumbs to injuries after 3 days; was set ablaze by mob

Hindu businessman Khokon Das, who was attacked with sharp weapons and set afire in Bangladesh, died on Saturday while receiving treatment in the Natioal Burn Institute in Dhaka.According to the news agency ANI, professor of the National Burn Institute Dr Shaon Bin Rahman confirmed his death.This comes three days after 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das was reportedly waylaid, beaten and doused with petrol before being set ablazeAccording to the police, Das was a resident of Tiloi village in Koneshwar Union and ran 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.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.”This 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.Meanwhile, 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.