Bangladesh is witnessing a disturbing wave of violence against its minority communities, with a series of arson attacks targeting Hindu families. Over the span of just five days, homes belonging to at least seven Hindu families have been deliberately set on fire, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of minorities in the South Asian nation.
A Narrow Escape from a Locked House
The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday, when attackers set fire to a house while eight members of two families were asleep inside. The victims described a terrifying ordeal, waking up to thick smoke filling their home. Mithun Shil, a Dubai expatriate who returned to Bangladesh three months ago for his wedding, recounted the horror to The Daily Star.
"We panicked and tried to rush out, but found the hooks fastened from the outside on both doors," Shil said. He revealed that the family was trapped, as the exits had been deliberately locked from the outside by the assailants. In a desperate bid for survival, they were forced to cut through the bamboo and tin walls of their house to escape the flames.
Police Action and Community Meetings
Law enforcement agencies have swung into action following the attacks. Police officials confirmed that five suspects have been arrested so far during coordinated raids. Efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the remaining accused individuals involved in these crimes.
In a move to address the underlying tensions, the police have also convened a meeting with local influential figures. The aim of this dialogue is to promote interfaith harmony and strengthen community vigilance against those involved in what authorities have termed "heinous crimes."
A Pattern of Planned Violence and Lynchings
Mithun Shil, whose family was attacked, believes this was not an isolated event but part of a calculated pattern. He pointed out, "A similar incident occurred at another Hindu house in a neighbouring village just three days ago. Since the law enforcement agencies haven't caught the perpetrators yet, these incidents keep happening."
The arson attacks coincide with two separate lynching incidents reported in Bangladesh within the last seven days, further igniting national outrage over the lack of safety for minorities. Last week, a mob lynched 28-year-old Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das in central Mymensingh over allegations of religious defamation, triggering widespread protests across the country.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, another man, identified as Amrit Mondal, was killed by a mob over an extortion allegation. These brutal events have cast a long shadow over the nation's social fabric, prompting urgent calls for stronger protection of minority rights and swift justice.
