Sixth Hindu Grocery Store Owner Killed in Three Weeks, Bangladesh Gripped by Fear

Amid escalating tensions and growing concerns over Law and Order, Bangladesh witnessed yet another killing of a member of the Hindu minority on Monday evening. The latest victim, Mani Chakraborty, a grocery store owner, was murdered in Narsingdi district, making this the sixth fatal attack on Hindus in just eighteen days.

The incident occurred at Charsindur Bazar, a crowded marketplace located under Palash upazila. According to local residents and traders, Chakraborty was attending to customers at his shop when unidentified attackers suddenly assaulted him. He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital by bystanders, but he reportedly died on the way or shortly after being admitted.

Mani Chakraborty was the son of Madan Thakur and a resident of Sadharchar Union in Shibpur upazila. Fellow shopkeepers described him as a peaceful and hardworking trader with no known disputes. His killing in a public market has sent shockwaves through the local Hindu community, many of whom say they now fear for their safety even while carrying out routine daily activities.

Community members and minority rights advocates have expressed deep alarm over the repeated attacks, warning that the pattern of violence is creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. They have urged authorities to act swiftly, identify the perpetrators, and ensure strict punishment to prevent further incidents.

A Disturbing Pattern of Attacks on Minorities

The killing of Mani Chakraborty came just hours after another Hindu man was shot dead in public in the Jashore district on Monday night. That incident took place around 5:45 p.m. at Kopalia Bazar in Ward No. 17 of Manirampur upazila.

The victim, Rana Pratap, 45, was the son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi and a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila. According to eyewitnesses and police sources, Rana Pratap was shot multiple times by unknown attackers while he was at the market. He died on the spot, triggering panic among shoppers and traders.

Police from Manirampur Police Station rushed to the scene to restore order. Officer-in-Charge Rajiullah Khan confirmed the incident, stating that legal procedures were underway, including recovery of the body and preparation for a post-mortem examination. He added that an investigation has been launched to identify and arrest those responsible.

These two killings are part of a troubling series of violent incidents targeting Hindus across Bangladesh in recent weeks. Earlier, Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, was lynched following mob violence. Another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was reportedly killed amid unrest linked to ongoing protests.

In yet another incident, Bajendra Biswas was shot dead in the Mymensingh district. Separately, on December 31, Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das was attacked by a mob near Keurbhanga Bazar in the Shariatpur district. He was stabbed and set on fire, later succumbing to his injuries while undergoing treatment at the National Burn Institute in Dhaka.

The repeated nature of these attacks has intensified concerns among minority communities, civil society groups, and observers, who say the violence reflects a serious breakdown of public safety. Calls are growing louder for decisive action by the authorities to restore confidence, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold the rule of law.