• Source:JND

A Hindu businessman, who was brutally attacked, hacked, and set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Bangladesh, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. The victim, identified as 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das, was assaulted near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya in Shariatpur district on Wednesday night while returning home after closing his shop. He was later shifted to Dhaka for advanced treatment as his condition deteriorated. On Saturday, he succumbed to his injuries.

This marked third death in the past two weeks.

Who was Khokon Chandra Das?

Das, who was running a medicine shop and mobile banking business, was travelling in an autorickshaw when the attackers intercepted the vehicle and allegedly beat him up, hacked him with sharp weapons and then poured petrol on his head before setting him on fire, the report said.

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In a bid to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond, prompting locals to raise an alarm. The attackers fled the scene, police said, adding that he was rescued by locals and taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, before being referred to Dhaka due to the severity of his injuries.

Nazrul Islam, a doctor at the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, on Thursday said Das suffered multiple injuries across his body, including a serious wound to his abdomen, along with burn injuries on his face, head and hands.

Khokon Das of burn injuries

"Khokon Das, who was injured in a fire attack in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur, passed away at 7:20 this morning at the National Burn Institute in Bangladesh," Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, Professor of the National Burn Institute, told news agency ANI over the phone.

Hospital sources told the news agency that Das died at around 7:20 am after being under treatment for nearly three days. Doctors said about thirty per cent of his body was burned, with severe injuries to his face and respiratory tract. Authorities said the necessary paperwork was being processed to take the body back to his village home.

Khokon Das's nephew-in-law, Pranto Das, told ANI that the family is seeking a proper investigation and justice for the killing. He said none of the perpetrators should be allowed to escape, stressing that those identified must be arrested without delay.

Wife reacts to horrific incident

His wife, Seema Das, said the family could not understand why he was targeted. She claimed that his husband recognised two of the attackers, which is why they tried to kill him. Her reaction came days before his death.

Carrying her infant in her arms, she lamented how Das was caught hold off by miscreants as he was about to enter the house and was attacked.

"My husband, who is a businessman, was entering the house when he was attacked by a mob gasoline and was set on fire. He is a patient man who leads a peaceful life. He has no enmity with anyone, and we are unable to understand the motive behind the attack," she said.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh Horror: Another Hindu Man Assaulted, Set On Fire By Violent Mob In Shariatpur

Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said two men, identified as Rabbi and Sohag, have been named in the case. “Efforts are underway to arrest them and identify others involved in the attack,” he said.

Hindus attacked in Bangladesh

On December 18, a 25-year-old Hindu man, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city. A week later, on Dec 24, another Hindu man, identified as Amrit Mondal, was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila.

(With inputs from agencies)

 


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