Mob Chase Ends in Tragedy for Hindu Youth in Bangladesh

It is said that a mob of men started pursuing Sarkar, claiming that he had stolen some things. The youngster ran away in terror and reached a nearby canal. In a desperate attempt to escape and for protection, Sarkar jumped into the water. He drowned, and the chase cost his life. 

Naogaon Police Super Mohammad Tariqul Islam provided confirmation of the turn of events to the press. Islam said that a Hindu young man called Mithun Sarkar was pursued by a mob claiming that he was a thief. He decided to jump into the water, and because he couldn’t swim, he died.

Thanks to the support of the fire service, the authorities have recovered the body. A post-mortem is in the process, and an investigation is also being conducted; not all specifics of the people involved in this case have yet been released by the police.

A Pattern of Violence

This tragedy is not an outstanding exception. It is in a set-up of increasing communal tensions with Bangladesh about to hold its 13th National Parliamentary Election. The climate has become very unfriendly to minority groups.

Statistics published by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council indicate that there is very little to smile about. The council documented 51 different violence cases in December alone. The list entails ten murders and ten robberies. The series of crimes involves a lot of arson, looting, and illegal occupation of the temples, homes, and businesses.

As per the council, there are cases in which the victims were falsely accused, such as religious defamation or contact with foreign intelligence agencies.

New Year, New Attacks

The carnage has transferred to January with frightening regularity. Some violent incidents have been recorded in various districts in just the first week of the new year.

A businessman called Khokan Chandra Das was hacked and burnt on January 3 at Shariatpur. He died later from his serious injuries. The same morning terrorist came to strike a family in Baalkhali Upazila in Chattogram, where members of the Milan Das household were captured as hostages during a robbery.

Other cases like these were also reported. In Cumilla, looters broke into Sanu Das’ house and got away with a lot of money in gold, silver, and cash. A day before, in Lakshmipur, an agricultural land owned by Satya Ranjan Das was burnt, and his paddy crops were destroyed.

Though the investigations are ongoing, the frequency at which these attacks are happening has put the minority community on a state of high alert.