A Hindu man in Bangladesh died after jumping into water while trying to escape a mob that accused him of theft, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place in Naogaon, adding to growing concerns over the safety of religious minorities amid rising unrest in the country.
The man was identified as Mithun Sarkar, according to police. Locals said that a group of people chased him after accusing him of stealing, and in a desperate attempt to save his life, he jumped into a nearby water body but did not survive.
“He was chased by a mob accusing him of theft. He jumped into the water, and after he jumped in, he died. The police were informed, and they recovered his body with the help of the fire service. We are conducting a post-mortem and investigating the incident,” Mohammad Tariqul Islam said.
Police said they are examining all aspects of the case and have not confirmed the theft allegations.
Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh Intensifies
The Naogaon incident is the latest in a troubling series of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The country has witnessed repeated cases of mob violence, lynching, and targeted killings since December, when unrest followed the death of a prominent student leader.
Minority communities say fear has spread rapidly, especially in rural areas and marketplaces, where rumours and false accusations often trigger violent attacks.
Recent Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh Increased
Only hours before the Naogaon incident, a 40-year-old Hindu grocery shop owner was killed in Narsingdi city. Unidentified attackers struck him with a sharp weapon as he was returning home after closing his shop late at night.
The victim, Moni Chakraborty, had been running his shop for many years. Police said attackers fled the scene, and investigations are ongoing. He became the third Hindu businessman to be killed in recent weeks.
Earlier the same evening, another Hindu businessman and acting editor of a local newspaper, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead in the Jessore district. He was attacked at a busy market area, raising serious questions about public safety.
Pattern of Mob Lynchings Raises Alarm in Bangladesh
The killings in January followed a wave of violence in December. On January 3, Khokon Chandra Das, aged 50, died after attackers brutally assaulted him, hacked him with sharp weapons, and set him on fire. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
On December 24, Amrit Mondal was allegedly lynched in Rajbari town following accusations of extortion. A week earlier, Dipu Chandra Das, 25, was lynched over rumours of blasphemy. His body was tied to a tree and set on fire, and later reports found the accusations to be false.
These incidents have deeply shaken minority communities.
Why Are Attacks on Minorities Rising in Bangladesh?
Rights groups estimate that dozens of incidents targeting religious minorities took place in December alone. These included murders, mob assaults, arson, looting, and cases of sexual violence.
Experts say misinformation, weak law enforcement response, and political uncertainty have contributed to the surge in violence. In many cases, mobs acted before police could intervene.
