Bangladesh’s minority Hindus are reeling from yet another gruesome assault, this time the live burning of a young garage worker in Narsingdi. Chanchal Chandra Bhoumik, 23, from Comilla’s Lakshmipur village, met a horrific end Friday night when radicals infiltrated his workplace and set it on fire.
Working late near Narsingdi police station, Bhoumik retired in the garage filled with combustible materials. Attackers struck swiftly, sparking a blaze that consumed everything. He perished trapped inside, his body charred beyond recognition. Authorities recovered the remains and CCTV clips capturing shadowy figures fleeing the scene.
‘Investigation teams are deployed across the area,’ a police spokesperson affirmed, emphasizing the probe’s priority. This follows a pattern of targeted violence: a Gazipur shopkeeper lynched defending staff, arson in Sylhet, and a Feni driver’s knifing—all striking Hindus in quick succession.
The backdrop is alarming. Post-2022 census, Hindus number 13.13 million, or 8% of the populace, yet face mounting threats since the interim regime’s rise. Political tensions pre-elections amplify fears, with extremists seemingly emboldened. India’s repeated calls for minority protection highlight international worry.
As Bangladesh grapples with this crisis, questions swirl about state capacity to stem radicalism. Will CCTV yield arrests? Can trust be restored in a system failing its minorities? The Bhoumik tragedy demands urgent answers and action to prevent further bloodshed.