Hindu Community Targeted Again in Bangladesh Following Murder of Muslim Youth

Dhaka: On Saturday, houses and shops of Hindu community were attacked by mobs in Rangpur and Kushtia districts of Bangladesh. The violence occurred shortly after the murder of a Muslim youth, leading to tension in the area.

How was Muslim youth Rakib murdered?

Rakib Hasan, a Muslim spiritual leader who lived about 300 kilometers from Dhaka, was brutally killed in Daspara market of Rangpur. Initial investigation has revealed that the murder was not due to any religious conflict but due to old rivalry and the real accused is still absconding.

Tension increased so much after his death that the mob started targeting Hindus, even though Hasan's mother Noorjahan Begum made it clear that the Hindu community had no role in the murder of her son.

Where did the attacks take place and what vandalism took place?

The mob vandalized the houses and shops of Hindu families in Daspara area of ​​Rangpur and also tried to loot. According to local media, more than a hundred Hindu families live there. Police officials have said that the real purpose of the violence was to divert attention from the murder case.

On the other hand, violence in Kushtia also

Meanwhile, in Kushtia district, about 200 km from Dhaka, a mob killed another spiritual person, Shamim Raza Jahangir. He was reportedly accused of “insulting Islam”. His ashram was then set on fire and many followers were seriously injured. Police has shared this information.

What did the police say?

Rangpur Police Commissioner Mohammad Majeed Ali has said that they know who targeted the houses and shops of the Hindu community. He said “strict action” would be taken against such people and the search for the real killers was on.

Concern about increasing communal violence in the country

According to reports by specialized groups, 133 incidents of communal violence have been recorded in Bangladesh between January and March this year, in which minority communities suffered. Human rights organizations have demanded the government to stop these attacks and ensure the safety of minorities.