A Hindu man in Bangladesh was reportedly left severely injured after a violent mob allegedly attacked him and set him on fire, marking yet another disturbing assault on minorities in the country. The horrific incident took place on December 31 in Shariatpur district, where rising hostilities against minority communities have become a worrying pattern. According to media reports, the victim has been identified as 50-year-old Khokon Das. He was returning home when a group of attackers allegedly cornered him, poured petrol on his body and set him on fire near the Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union of Damudya. The brutality of the assault has sparked outrage among rights groups who note an alarming rise in targeted violence, as per reports.
Series of attacks raises alarming pattern
Notably, this was the fourth attack on a Hindu in Bangladesh in the last 15 days. Earlier, on December 24, a mob had allegedly beaten 29-year-old Amrit Mondal to death in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union in Bangladesh. In another incident at a textile factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, a Hindu youth was shot dead by his coworker with a gun. Apart from this, on December 18, a Hindu youth named Dipu Chandra Das was brutally killed by a mob in Mymensingh, after which his body was hung from a tree in the middle of the road and set on fire.
It is worth noting that large-scale protests are being held in several Indian cities against the ongoing atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh over the past several days. Many Indian political leaders have also condemned the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and have urged the government of India to take diplomatic action on the matter.
Bangladesh unrest
It is to be noted here that Bangladesh witnessed violent protests after the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman bin Hadi on December 18. His killing has also triggered some fresh strain in India-Bangladesh ties. India sought a thorough probe into Hadi's death. India's call for a detailed probe into the case came as unsubstantiated allegations about an Indian hand in Hadi's death triggered anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power following the collapse of the Hasina government. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.
ALSO READ: Violence again in Bangladesh: Hindu man Bajendra Biswas shot dead by coworker at garment factory
