Brutal killings of traders spark widespread insecurity across local communities.
Violence against minority groups in Bangladesh has reached a critical point, with the death of a Hindu businessman on Monday night marking the sixth such fatality in just over two weeks. Mani Chakraborty, a well-regarded grocery trader from Shibpur upazila, was targeted by unknown attackers while working at his shop in Charsindur Bazar, Narsingdi. Despite being rushed to a medical facility by nearby residents, the injuries he sustained in the busy marketplace proved fatal.
Local business owners describe Chakraborty as a peaceful individual with no known enemies, making the public nature of the attack even more distressing. This incident has sent shockwaves through the region, leaving Hindu minorities in Bangladesh feeling increasingly vulnerable in their daily lives. Community leaders are now demanding immediate government intervention and the swift prosecution of those responsible to prevent further bloodshed.
The tragedy in Narsingdi was not the only act of violence recorded on Monday. Earlier that evening, 45-year-old Rana Pratap was shot and killed in broad daylight at Kopalia Bazar in the Jashore district. According to eyewitnesses and law enforcement, unidentified gunmen opened fire on Pratap before fleeing the scene. Officer-in-charge Rajiullah Khan confirmed that a formal investigation is underway and legal procedures, including a post-mortem, are being conducted.
These recent deaths are part of a worrying pattern of targeted aggression. In the last week alone, the community has mourned several others:
As the unrest continues, the recurring nature of these attacks highlights a deteriorating security situation for minorities, prompting urgent pleas for protection and an end to the cycle of impunity.
