A 27-year-old Hindu man was killed in a mob attack in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district on Friday, an incident that has intensified concerns over minority safety amid nationwide unrest following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
The victim, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was attacked in Baluka area of Mymensingh, according to local authorities. His father, Ravilal Das, has since spoken publicly about the killing, describing the family’s shock and the lack of immediate reassurance from officials in the aftermath.
Family Learns of Attack Through Social Media
Speaking in an interview with NDTV, Ravilal Das said the family first became aware of the incident through reports circulating on Facebook before receiving confirmation from relatives and community members. He described how his son was taken by a group and assaulted, adding that the family later found his body left outside.
Calling the incident “horrible,” the grieving father said the family has yet to receive any direct assurance or outreach from government representatives. “No one from the government has given any assurance,” he said.
Arrests Made, Investigation Ongoing
Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing. According to an official statement, the arrests were carried out by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-14) following coordinated operations across multiple locations.
Those arrested were named as:
• Md. Limon Sarkar (19)
• Md. Tarek Hossain (19)
• Md. Manik Mia (20)
• Ershad Ali (39)
• Nijum Uddin (20)
• Alomgir Hossain (38)
• Md. Miraj Hossain Akon (46)
Authorities said investigations are continuing to determine individual roles and possible wider involvement.
Government Condemnation
In a statement issued after the incident, the Bangladesh administration strongly condemned the killing, describing it as unacceptable in the country’s current political transition.
“There is no place for such violence in the new Bangladesh. No one involved in this brutal crime will be spared,” the statement read.
Wider Unrest and Diplomatic Concerns
The lynching occurred against the backdrop of widespread protests triggered by the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Demonstrations have been reported in several cities and, in some instances, took on anti-India overtones, including protests near the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Khulna, and Rajshahi.
Media organisations were also targeted, with offices of newspapers such as The Daily Star reportedly attacked during the unrest.
Earlier this week, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, was summoned by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which formally conveyed concerns over the deteriorating security situation and threats to diplomatic missions in Dhaka.
Calls for Accountability
Human rights observers and minority groups have renewed calls for swift justice and stronger protections for vulnerable communities, stressing that accountability in the Dipu Chandra Das case will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
Source: Africa Publicity
