Three individuals were arrested on Sunday in connection with the hacking and burning to death of a Hindu businessman in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district, according to local media reports.
The victim, Khokon Chandra Das, 50, was attacked near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya area of Shariatpur, nearly 100 km south of Dhaka, on Wednesday night. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Prothom Alo reported that a team of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested the three accused on Sunday morning from Kishoreganj, located about 100 km northeast of the capital.
The arrested accused have been identified as Sohag Khan of Damudya, 27, Rabbi Molya, 21, and Palash Sardar, 25.
RAB Madaripur Camp Company Commander and Superintendent of Police Mir Monir Hossain informed Prothom Alo that the accused were being brought to the Madaripur camp from Kishoreganj.
Madaripur is located around 20 km from Shariatpur district.
Das, who owned a medicine shop and was also involved in mobile banking services, was going in an autorickshaw when the attackers intercepted the vehicle. They allegedly assaulted him, hacked him with sharp weapons and poured petrol on his head before setting him on fire, media reported on Thursday.
In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond as locals raised an alarm. The accused attackers fled the spot, police said. He was rescued by local residents, taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital and later referred to Dhaka due to the serious nature of his injuries.
Doctors in Dhaka said Das had suffered multiple injuries all over his body, including a serious wound to the abdomen. He also suffered burn injuries on his face, head and hands.
Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Rawnak Jahan said the victim had named the accused before his death, a news portal reported on Sunday.
Das’ killing was the fifth death of a member of the Hindu community since December. Radical groups in Bangladesh are visibly trying to intimidate religious minorities, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council spokesperson Kajol Debnath said after his death on Saturday.
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