Seven Suspects Arrested in Connection with Mob Killing
Bangladesh's interim government chief, Mohammad Yunus, announced on Saturday that authorities have arrested seven individuals in connection with the brutal killing of a Hindu youth. The victim, identified as 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob in the Mymensingh district on Thursday night. The attack followed allegations of blasphemy.
In a post on the social media platform X, Yunus stated that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted operations at various locations following the incident. The suspects were apprehended by RAB-14.
Details of the Gruesome Attack
The incident occurred in the Dubalia Para area of Square Master Bari in Bhaluka upazila. Dipu Chandra Das, who worked at a local garment factory and lived in the area as a tenant, was accused of making derogatory comments about Islam and Prophet Muhammad. According to reports from Bangladeshi media outlet Barta Bazar, the allegations arose during an event at the factory marking World Arabic Language Day.
The accusations spread quickly, leading to heightened tension. An angry mob subsequently attacked Das, beating him to death on the spot. The violence escalated horrifically after his death.
The mob tied the body to a tree, beat it while shouting slogans, and then set it ablaze. The crowd later moved the body to the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, setting it on fire again. This act disrupted traffic and caused panic among local residents.
Bhaluka Upazila Executive Officer, Md. Firoz Hossain, confirmed that the killing was over allegations of insulting the Prophet. The victim's body is currently in police custody.
Political Fallout and Wider Unrest
The killing has drawn strong condemnation from political figures. Former Bangladesh minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat strongly condemned the incident. He accused the interim government under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus of steering Bangladesh toward full-scale radicalism.
This incident adds to a fresh wave of political instability in the country. The unrest was recently ignited by the death of 32-year-old student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, the convenor of the Inquilab Mancha platform, was shot by masked gunmen in central Dhaka while launching his election campaign. He died six days later in a Singapore hospital.
His death sparked immediate protests across Dhaka and other cities. Demonstrators vandalised buildings, torched newspaper offices, and targeted symbols linked to the political establishment. This turmoil unfolds as Bangladesh prepares for a crucial national election and recalibrates its relationship with India.
The interim chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, confirmed Hadi's death. Police have stated that the motives behind Hadi's attack remain unclear, and no perpetrators have been identified publicly.
