In a tragic incident highlighting the tense communal atmosphere in Bangladesh, a young Hindu man lost his life after being chased by a mob in the country's northern region. The event adds to a disturbing pattern of violence reported in the lead-up to the nation's parliamentary elections.
The Fatal Chase in Naogaon
The victim has been identified as Mithun Sarkar. The incident occurred in the Mohadevpur area of Naogaon district. According to police, Sarkar was pursued by a group of individuals who accused him of theft. In a desperate attempt to escape, he jumped into a nearby water body and drowned.
Naogaon Police Super Mohammad Tariqul Islam confirmed the details to ANI. "The police were informed and they recovered his body with the help of the fire service," he stated. The official added that authorities are actively investigating the matter and a post-mortem examination is being conducted.
A Pattern of Rising Communal Tensions
This death is not an isolated event. It comes amidst a significant and worrying surge in communal violence across Bangladesh as the country approaches its 13th National Parliamentary Election. Data from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council paints a grim picture.
The council's report states that at least 51 incidents of violence were recorded in December 2023 alone. These included a range of serious crimes:
- 10 murders
- 10 cases of theft and robbery
- 23 instances involving illegal occupation of properties, temples, and land, along with looting and arson
- 4 cases of arrest and torture on allegedly false charges of religious defamation and links to intelligence agencies
- 1 attempted rape
- 3 incidents of physical assault
The council has noted that this violent trend has continued into the first week of January 2024.
Fresh Incidents in Early January
Several new attacks were reported in the first days of the new year, underscoring the ongoing crisis:
On January 2, nearly an acre (96 decimals) of paddy land belonging to Satya Ranjan Das in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, was allegedly set on fire.
The following day, January 3, saw a brutal attack on businessman Khokan Chandra Das in Shariatpur. He was hacked and set ablaze, later succumbing to his injuries.
That same morning, members of Milan Das's family in Chattogram's Boalkhali Upazila were reportedly held hostage during a robbery at their home.
Another robbery was reported on January 3 at the residence of Sanu Das in Homna, Cumilla. Miscreants allegedly looted 10 bhori of gold, 12 bhori of silver, and 20,000 taka in cash.
Investigations and Ongoing Concerns
While authorities like Police Super Islam have confirmed they are probing Mithun Sarkar's death, the broader wave of violence presents a severe challenge. The data from minority rights groups indicates a systemic issue that extends beyond individual crimes.
The convergence of electoral politics and communal targeting has raised alarms among observers and minority communities. The incidents, ranging from murder and arson to land grabbing and false accusations, suggest a multifaceted campaign of intimidation and violence that requires urgent address by Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of all citizens during this critical period.
