Hindu youth shot dead marking fifth killing in weeks

Bangladesh continues to grapple with severe law and order challenges as another Hindu man was murdered in public. On Monday evening, panic gripped the Jashore district when unidentified assailants shot and killed 45-year-old Rana Pratap. This tragic event took place around 5:45 pm at the busy Kopalia Bazar, located in the Manirampur upazila.

Rana Pratap, a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila, was the son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attackers targeted him while he was present at the market. The assailants opened fire without warning, leaving Rana with multiple bullet wounds. He reportedly died on the spot before any medical help could reach him.

Following the shooting, the local community was plunged into a state of fear and chaos. Heavy police reinforcements from the Manirampur Police Station were deployed to the area to stabilize the situation. Officer-in-Charge Rajiullah Khan confirmed the incident, stating that the body is being recovered for a post-mortem examination. While an investigation has been launched, the identities of the shooters remain unknown.

This murder is not an isolated incident. It represents a worrying pattern of violence against the Hindu minority in the country. Within the last three weeks alone, five Hindu individuals have lost their lives in various violent attacks across Bangladesh.

Previous victims include Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker who fell victim to mob violence, and Amrit Mondal, who died during recent unrest. In Mymensingh, Bajendra Biswas was shot dead, while Khokon Chandra Das, a businessman, succumbed to burn injuries after a mob set him on fire on New Year’s Eve.

As protests and civil unrest persist across the nation, these repeated targeted killings have raised urgent concerns regarding the safety of minority communities. The local administration is currently under significant pressure to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore public confidence.