Khokon Chandra Das, a 50-year-old Hindu businessman, died Saturday after a mob brutally attacked him with sharp weapons and set him on fire on New Year's Eve in Bangladesh's Shariatpur district. The fatal assault occurred as Das was returning home from his businesses, highlighting growing concerns over violence against religious minorities in the country. His death comes amid a series of recent attacks on Hindu individuals.^[1][2][3][4] ### Brutal Attack Details Emerge The incident took place around 9:30 PM on December 31 near Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union of Damudya Upazila, Shariatpur district. Khokon Chandra Das, who operated a pharmacy and a mobile banking business in the local market, was traveling in an auto-rickshaw after closing his shop for the day.^{[1][2][3][5][6][4][7]} A group of assailants stopped his vehicle, dragged him out, and assaulted him with sharp weapons.^{[1][2][3][5][6][4][7]} They then doused him with petrol and set him ablaze.^{[1][2][3][5][6][4][7]} In a desperate attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond beside the road.^{[1][2][3][5][8][4][7]} Locals heard his screams and rushed to the scene, prompting the attackers to flee.^{[1][2][3][5][8][4][7]} Rescuers took Das to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital for emergency treatment.^{[1][2][3][5][4][7]} However, doctors referred him to Dhaka's National Burn Institute later that night as his condition worsened significantly.^{[1][2][3][5][8][6][4][7]} Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, a Professor at the National Burn Institute, confirmed Das's death at approximately 7:20 AM on Saturday morning.^[1][2][3][4] Hospital sources indicated that Das suffered severe burn injuries to about 30 percent of his body, with critical damage to his face and respiratory tract.^[2][3][4] He also had multiple other injuries, including a serious abdominal wound, burns to his head, and hands.^[1][5][4][7] ### Investigation Underway, Three Suspects Arrested Police at Damudya Police Station quickly began investigating the "terrorist attack" on the businessman.^[1][3] Initial reports identified two local residents, Rabbi and Sohag, as suspects.^[1][2][3][4] Bangladesh's elite security force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), announced on Sunday, January 4, that they arrested three individuals in connection with the murder.^[9] The arrested suspects, identified as Sohag, Rabbi, and Palash, were detained around 1 AM from the Bajitpur area of Kishoreganj following an overnight operation by RAB teams.^[9] Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Rawnak Jahan stated that Das was assaulted by three to four attackers.^[9] Before his death, Das reportedly mentioned the names of some of his attackers.^[9] Police believe the assailants poured petrol on him and set him on fire to eliminate him after realizing he had recognized them.^[9] Das's wife, Seema Das, told local media that her husband recognized some of the attackers, which she believes triggered the brutal assault.^[5][4] She also mentioned that Das was returning home with the day's earnings, suggesting robbery could have been a motive.^[5][6][9] Pranto Das, the victim's nephew-in-law, strongly demanded a thorough investigation and swift justice for the killing.^[1][3][4][9] He emphasized that all those involved should be identified and arrested without delay.^[4][9] Police described the arrested men as known in the area for criminal activities and alleged drug abuse.^[9] Further investigation is ongoing.^[9] ### Rising Concerns Over Minority Safety This tragic death marks the fourth or fifth killing of a Hindu citizen in Bangladesh within the past 12 days to a month, intensifying concerns over the safety of religious minorities.^[8][4][7] Minority faith leaders have expressed alarm over what they perceive as radical groups attempting to intimidate minority faiths.^[7] Kajol Debnath, a spokesman for the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, noted that this is the fifth death of a Hindu person since December and that the council recorded seven attacks on the community in the past month.^[7] The incident follows other recent high-profile attacks. In December, Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu garment factory worker in Mymensingh, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges that were later found to be baseless.^{[1][3][8][4][10]} His body was reportedly hung from a tree and then set on fire.^[8] Another Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was lynched in Rajbari over an extortion allegation.^[1][3][8] These incidents have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from political leaders, religious organizations, and minority groups in both Bangladesh and neighboring India.^[1][3][10] Human rights organizations in Bangladesh have highlighted a significant increase in mob violence and attacks on minorities, particularly since the political transition in August 2024.^{[3][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]} Dhaka-based Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) reported that mob violence claimed 197 lives from January to December 2025, an increase from 128 deaths the previous year.^[15] The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported 2,010 incidents of violence against minorities between August 4 and August 20, 2024, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina.^[12][13] While some of these attacks were politically motivated, religious minorities often face harassment and violence.^[14][16] The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has condemned the killings and pledged to protect minority communities and investigate abuses.^[8][14][17] However, some officials have attributed violence to criminal activities rather than communal angles.^[8] The government has also established commissions to reform various sectors, including the judiciary and police, to address human rights issues.^[17] The incident underscores ongoing vulnerability for religious minorities in Bangladesh, prompting calls for swift justice and enhanced protection.^[3][4][7]

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