A fresh case of mob violence has been reported from Bangladesh, where a Hindu man allegedly involved in extortion was killed by villagers in Rajbari district late Wednesday night. The incident has added to growing concerns following a recent lynching linked to unverified blasphemy allegations.
The victim, identified as Amrit Mondal alias Samrat, aged around 30, was attacked by a crowd at about 11 pm. He was found severely injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead in the early hours of Thursday, according to local media reports.
Police said one of Samrat’s associates, Mohammad Selim, was apprehended during the chaos. Authorities recovered two firearms from Selim, including a pistol and a locally made weapon.
Law enforcement officials stated that Samrat had a criminal background, with multiple cases registered against him, including a murder charge. He was allegedly heading a self-styled group known locally as “Samrat Bahini,” which, according to police, was involved in threatening residents and forcibly collecting money.
Investigators said Samrat had recently returned to the village after spending a prolonged period in India. Local accounts suggest that he and his associates went to the home of a villager, Shahidul Islam, on Wednesday night to allegedly demand extortion money. When the household raised an alarm by shouting that robbers had entered, residents rushed to the spot and attacked Samrat. His accomplices reportedly fled, while Selim was caught and handed over to the police.
This killing follows another disturbing incident in Mymensingh district, where a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob over allegations of blasphemy. Police said Das was beaten to death, tied to a tree, and his body set on fire. His remains were later sent for post-mortem examination.
The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has condemned the incidents, stating that mob justice and communal hatred have no place in the country. Authorities have promised strict action against those responsible.
These incidents have occurred during a period of heightened unrest across Bangladesh, triggered by the death of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, who died from gunshot wounds while receiving treatment abroad. His death has sparked protests and violent disturbances in multiple regions.