NewzVille International
The murder of grocery trader Moni Chakraborty in Narsingdi district has increased fear and anger across Bangladesh.
His death comes amid a worrying series of killings of members of the Hindu community in recent weeks. Moni’s killing raises serious concerns about public safety, minority protection, and law and order ahead of the elections.
According to officials at Palash Police Station, Moni Chakraborty was attacked and killed at Charsindhur Bazar in Palash upazila on Monday.
Police and locals said Moni was returning home after closing his shop when unknown attackers struck him with a sharp, locally made weapon. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Fear has grown further after another incident on January 5, when Hindu businessman and journalist Rana Pratap was shot dead in public at Kopalia Bazar in Jashore.
Moni and Rana’s killings have come while the country is still shaken by two other brutal incidents.
On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker in Mymensingh, was beaten to death over blasphemy allegations. His body was later tied to a tree and burned. Dipu had been working at a garment factory for two years.
Less than two weeks later, on December 31, businessman Khokon Chandra Das was stabbed and set on fire in Shariatpur. He died three days later while receiving treatment in Dhaka.
