Miscreants tried to kill Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das since he recognised the attackers, charged his wife Seema Das on Thursday. Bangladesh police have so far identified two members of the gang that attempted to murder Das.
Khokan Chandra Das, a middle-aged businessman running a pharmacy at Keurbhanga Bazar in Bangladesh's Shariatpur district, was attacked by a violent group on New Year's eve. Das was returning home after the day's business when the attack happened.
According to Seema Das, the attackers might have tried to kill her husband since he recognised them. "My husband closes the shop every night and returns home with the money from the day's sales. Terrorists attacked him on Wednesday night. He recognized two of the attackers," Prothom Alo reported quoting Seema.
According to the publication, Seema suspects the mob might have tried to kill her husband since he identified them. Seema said they do not have any enemies or disputes with anybody in the locality.
On Wednesday evening, while returning after closing his shop, a violent mob waylaid Khokan and attacked him. Khokan was attacked while he was passing through Tiloi area, at around 9 pm, on Wednesday. The mob allegedly hit him, stabbed Khokan with sharp weapons and set him on fire after pouring petrol all over his body. Reportedly, Khokan jumped into a pond nearby and survived the attack. Khokan suffered serious burn injuries in the incident.
"We don't understand why the terrorists suddenly targeted my husband and attacked him," a terrified Seema told Prothom Alo. According to doctors, Khokan has grievous burn injuries in his hands, face and rear of his head. He has been taken to the hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment, doctors said.
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According to the Bangladesh police, they have identified two attackers, and efforts are underway to nab them. "Efforts are being made to identify who else is involved in the incident," Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Rabiul Haque told Prothom Alo.
The attack against Khokan is the fourth case of targeted violence against minority members in the neighbouring country since the beginning of December. A fresh bout of violence erupted in Bangladesh after the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
Last week, Amrit Mondal, a 29-year-old youth, was allegedly lynched to death in Bangladesh's Kalimohar. According to Bangladeshi officials, Mondal was allegedly attacked amid an extortion bid.
Earlier in December, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was killed in Bangladesh, allegedly over false blasphemy charges. Despite India's concerns, Bangladesh authorities maintained that they were isolated incidents and India was trying to project them as a systemic attack against minorities.
