In a shocking escalation of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, 23-year-old Hindu worker Chanchal Chandra Bhoumik was brutally set ablaze while sleeping in a garage near Dhaka. The incident, which occurred in Narsingdi district about 50 kilometers from the capital, has sent chills through the Hindu community already living in fear.
Bhoumik, son of Khokon Chandra Bhoumik from Lakshmipur village in Comilla district, worked at a garage in the Khanabari Masjid Market area close to Narsingdi police lines. Local reports indicate that after finishing his shift on Friday night, he bedded down in the garage. Unknown assailants then doused the premises with fuel and ignited it. The garage, stocked with petrol, engine oil, and other flammables, turned into an inferno in seconds, trapping and killing Bhoumik from severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Eyewitnesses described the attack as meticulously planned, pointing to the rapid spread of fire as evidence of premeditation. Police have seized CCTV footage from nearby cameras showing the attackers in action, though identities remain elusive. A senior officer stated, ‘We are treating this with utmost seriousness. Multiple teams are scouring footage and leads to apprehend the culprits.’
This barbaric killing comes amid a surge in attacks on Hindus, especially ahead of elections. Just last week, a Hindu sweet shop owner in Gazipur was beaten to death protecting his employee, a Hindu home in Sylhet was torched, and an auto-rickshaw driver in Feni was stabbed fatally. With Hindus comprising about 8% of Bangladesh’s population—roughly 13.13 million people—the minority community feels increasingly vulnerable under the interim government led by figures accused of radical leanings.
India has voiced deep concerns over the safety of Hindus in its neighbor, urging protective measures. As investigations continue, the incident underscores the government’s challenge in curbing extremist violence and safeguarding vulnerable groups. The nation watches anxiously for justice and an end to this reign of terror.