Source NDTV
RAJBARI, BANGLADESH — Tensions in Bangladesh continue to escalate as a second Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal (also known as Samrat), was lynched by a mob in the Rajbari district late Wednesday night. This incident follows the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment factory worker, just days earlier in Mymensingh, which sparked international condemnation and mass protests.
The Incident in Rajbari
According to local authorities, the attack on 29-year-old Amrit Mondal occurred around 11:00 PM on Wednesday in the Hossaindanga Purantan Bazar area of Pangsha upazila. Reports indicate that Mondal and several associates allegedly went to the home of a local resident, Shahidul Islam, to demand extortion money.
When the occupants raised an alarm, shouting “robbers,” a large group of villagers gathered and caught Mondal. While his associates attempted to flee, the mob beat Mondal severely. Police arrived at the scene and rescued him in critical condition, but he was declared dead upon arrival at the Pangsha Upazila Health Complex at approximately 2:00 AM on Thursday.
What the Police Said
Police officials have emphasized that this specific incident appears to be linked to criminal activity rather than communal targeting.
Criminal Background: Assistant Superintendent of Police (Pangsha Circle) Debrata Sarkar stated that Mondal was a “top-tier criminal” with at least two cases registered against him, including a murder charge from 2023.
“Samrat Bahini”: Authorities allege Mondal led a local gang known as the “Samrat Bahini,” which specialized in extortion and intimidation.
Recent Return: Police noted that Mondal had recently returned to Bangladesh after hiding in India for an extended period.
Arrests: One of Mondal’s associates, identified as Mohammad Selim, was apprehended at the scene. Police recovered two firearms—a pistol and a locally made “one-shooter” gun—from his possession.
Context of Ongoing Unrest
The killing of Amrit Mondal comes at a fragile time for Bangladesh. The country has been gripped by a wave of violence following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the “July Uprising.”
Just a week prior, on December 18, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched in Mymensingh after being falsely accused of blasphemy. In that instance, a mob beat Das to death, tied his body to a tree, and set it on fire. While the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has condemned the violence and arrested 12 individuals in the Das case, minority rights groups and international observers have expressed “grave concern” over the safety of Hindus in the country.
“There is no space for such violence in ‘New Bangladesh.’ The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared,” the interim government stated via social media following the initial wave of killings.
The back-to-back incidents have triggered diplomatic friction, with India summoning Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to express concern over the safety of minorities, while protests have broken out in both Dhaka and New Delhi.
