• Source:JND
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Rangpur Murder News: A 75-year-old Hindu freedom fighter of the 1971 Liberation War and his wife were found brutally murdered at their home in northern Bangladesh’s Rangpur district on Sunday, triggering fresh concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country.

The deceased were identified as Jogesh Chandra Roy, a decorated Muktijoddha, and his 60-year-old wife, Suborna Roy. Both were found with their throats slit inside their house at Uttar Rahimapur village in the Kursha area.

Bodies Discovered After Forced Entry

According to local police and the Dhaka-based daily Prothom Alo, the couple was discovered around 7:30 am after repeated knocks at their door went unanswered. With the main gate locked from inside, neighbours and household help used a ladder to climb over the boundary and enter the house.

Suborna Roy’s body was found in the kitchen, while Jogesh Chandra Roy lay in the dining area. Police believe the murders took place around 1 am, based on preliminary forensic assessment.

Who Is Jogesh Chandra Roy?

Jogesh Chandra Roy, a veteran of the 1971 Liberation War, later served as a headmaster in a government primary school before retiring in 2017. The couple lived alone at their ancestral home. Their two sons, Shoven Chandra Roy and Rajesh Khanna Chandra Roy, are currently posted in different units of the Bangladesh Police, one in Joypurhat and the other in Dhaka.

Officers from Taraganj Police Station, district officials, a forensic team, and detectives visited the crime scene. Post-mortem examinations have been ordered. As of Sunday afternoon, no formal case had been registered and no arrests had been made.

Local authorities stated that there was no record of previous disputes involving the family. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the killings were the result of robbery, communal hatred, or targeted political violence. Local residents and veteran freedom-fighter organisations have demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and warned of protests if swift action is not taken.

Incident Rekindles Minority Safety Concerns

The double murder comes amid growing alarm over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Minority rights groups have reported thousands of incidents of violence against Hindus, including attacks on homes, temples, and businesses.

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In India, the issue of violence against minorities in Bangladesh was raised in Parliament earlier this year. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had stated that India has flagged over 3,500 cases of minority violence in Dhaka since 2021.

Political reactions also followed Sunday’s killings. Exiled Awami League leaders blamed the interim administration of Muhammad Yunus and alleged backing of Islamist groups for the deteriorating security of minorities. However, the Yunus government has repeatedly claimed that reports of anti-Hindu violence are being exaggerated.

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As investigations continue, the brutal killing of the elderly Hindu couple has once again put the spotlight on Bangladesh’s fragile law-and-order situation and the fears gripping minority communities across the country.

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