Bangladesh Hindu Businessman Ambushed, Set on Fire in Latest Attack Amid Ongoing Unrest

A shocking attack has left a 50-year-old Hindu businessman fighting for his life in Bangladesh. Khokon Chandra Das, a resident of Tilai village in Damudya, was set on fire by miscreants after they hacked him with sharp weapons near Keurbhanga Bazar on Wednesday night. Das, a successful businessman who runs a medicine and mobile banking business, was returning home in a CNG-powered autorickshaw when he was stopped and attacked. The attackers poured petrol on his head and set him ablaze, but Das managed to escape by jumping into a nearby pond. The victim was rescued and taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he was treated for severe injuries, including burns on his face, back of his head, and hands. He was later sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment. Das's wife, Seema, believes the attack was a targeted assassination, as her husband had previously recognized two of the attackers. "We have no enemies in the area, and we don't understand why they targeted my husband," she said. The attack comes amid a wave of unrest in Bangladesh, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent student-led protests in July-August 2024. The minority Hindu community has been particularly affected, with several members killed in recent days. Police are investigating the case and have identified two of the attackers, with efforts underway to arrest them. As the country grapples with the aftermath of this shocking attack, concerns are growing about the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh.