Bangladesh has witnessed another fatal mob assault involving a Hindu man, coming just days after the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, whose killing triggered widespread outrage. According to local media reports on Thursday, a 29-year-old man identified as Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death in the Pangsha area of Rajbari district, roughly three and a half hours from Dhaka.
Residents told The Daily Star that Samrat was believed to be the head of a local criminal group known as “Samrat Bahini,” allegedly engaged in extortion and other illegal activities. He had reportedly left Bangladesh following the removal of Sheikh Hasina last year and had returned recently to his native village of Hosendanga in Kalimohor union.
The incident reportedly took place around 11 pm on Wednesday when Samrat and several associates went to the home of a villager, Shahidul Islam, allegedly to demand money. Family members raised an alarm, accusing the group of robbery, prompting nearby villagers to intervene. While most of the group managed to escape, Samrat was caught and beaten by the crowd.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Debrata Sarkar of the Pangsha Circle said officers managed to pull Samrat from the mob and rushed him to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Police confirmed that Samrat had multiple cases pending against him at Pangsha police station, including a murder charge. One of his associates, Mohammad Selim, was arrested during follow-up operations, and police recovered a pistol and another firearm.
The killing has further heightened tensions in Bangladesh, where concerns over minority safety have intensified following the recent lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old factory worker in Mymensingh. Das was attacked last Thursday after a co-worker accused him of blasphemy. A mob reportedly beat him to death, hung his body, and set it on fire.
The murder sparked protests and condemnation both within Bangladesh and abroad, including demonstrations in India. Authorities later stated that there was no evidence supporting the blasphemy allegation and suggested the violence may have stemmed from a workplace dispute. At least 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with Das’s killing.
Bangladesh’s Education Adviser, Professor C R Abrar, visited Das’s family earlier this week to offer condolences. Interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said in a social media post that the visit was intended to convey the government’s sympathy and its commitment to supporting the bereaved family.
Source: NDTV
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