Hindu youth burnt alive in Bangladesh as violence continues; family alleges targeted killing
Narsingadi, (Bangladesh):Violence against minorities continues to cast a dark shadow over Bangladesh, with yet another brutal killing of a Hindu youth reported from Narsingadi district. A 23-year-old man, identified as Chanchal Chandra Bhaumik, was allegedly burnt alive inside a shop where he was sleeping on Friday night, triggering fear and outrage within the Hindu community.
According to preliminary information, the attackers allegedly locked the shop from outside by pulling down the shutter, poured petrol on the premises and set it on fire. Reports indicate that the assailant remained outside the shop until Chanchal was completely engulfed in flames, before fleeing the scene. The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country.
Chanchal was the sole breadwinner of his family. After the death of his father, he had been supporting his ailing mother, a physically challenged elder brother and a younger sibling. For the past six years, he had been working at a local garage in Narsingadi. Neighbours and the garage owner described him as a quiet, hardworking and honest young man with no known disputes.
The victim’s family has alleged that the murder was pre-planned and driven by religious hatred. They claim the manner in which the crime was executed clearly points to a deliberate act rather than an accident. The killing has further intensified fear among Hindus, especially following the recent murders of Deepu Chandra Das and Khokon Chandra Das, which had already unsettled the minority community across the country.
Confirming the incident, Narsingadi Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Farooq told ANI, “We have collected CCTV footage from the area and noticed a person moving around the shop before the fire broke out. We are investigating whether the fire was caused by an external act or due to an electrical short circuit.”
He further said that firefighters rushed to the spot after noticing smoke from the shop. “The fire brigade broke open the shutter to rescue him, but by then, his body had been completely charred,” the SP said. “We are continuing the investigation from all angles, and so far, no arrests have been made.”
Rights activists and minority organisations have condemned the killing and demanded swift action against those responsible. They have urged the Bangladesh government to ensure justice and provide security to vulnerable communities, warning that repeated attacks are creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
As investigations continue, the incident stands as yet another grim reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, with calls growing louder for accountability and concrete steps to prevent such crimes.
