A 23-year-old Hindu youth was burnt to death inside a garage in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district, in what his family and community members allege was a premeditated killing, once again raising concerns over the safety of minorities in the country.
The victim, Chanchal Chandra Bhoumik, had been working at the garage for several years. Originally from Lakshmipur village in Cumilla district, he had moved to Narsingdi in search of work and was the sole earning member of his family. He was the middle son.
The incident occurred late Friday night near the Mosque Market area, close to the Narsingdi Police Lines. According to eyewitnesses and local residents, Chanchal was asleep inside the garage when miscreants allegedly poured petrol on the shutter from outside and set it ablaze. The fire spread rapidly, leaving him trapped inside.
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows a person setting fire to the shutter, after which flames engulf the garage within minutes.
Residents alerted the fire service, and a team from the Narsingdi Fire Service rushed to the spot. After nearly an hour-long operation, the fire was brought under control. Chanchal’s charred body was later recovered from inside the shop.
Eyewitnesses said he remained trapped in the flames for a prolonged period and died a painful death.
Terming the incident a “planned murder”, the victim’s family has demanded the immediate arrest of those involved and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
The killing has triggered tension in the area, with members of the Hindu community expressing fear and anger. Police said they have collected evidence from the scene, are examining CCTV footage, and are in the process of registering a case.
Local Hindu community leaders strongly condemned the killing and urged the authorities to ensure swift justice. They also called for concrete steps to guarantee the safety of minorities, a concern that often resurfaces during times of social unrest, much like the anxieties seen around festivals such as Durga Puja in the region.
The incident comes amid a series of violent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh in recent months. Tensions escalated following the death of anti-India radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was lynched by a mob and later set on fire over alleged blasphemy. Days later, Amrit Mondal was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari district on accusations of extortion.
The violence has continued in recent weeks. Last week, Hindu trader Liton Chandra Das was killed in a mob attack in Kaliganj. In another incident, fuel station worker Ripon Saha was crushed to death while trying to stop a vehicle fleeing a petrol pump without paying.