Hindu rice trader Sushen Chandra Sarkar was stabbed to death inside his shop in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, just 48 hours before national polls, raising security fears.
Hindu rice trader Sushen Chandra Sarkar was stabbed to death inside his shop in Mymensingh, Bangladesh [Photo: X]
A 62-year-old Hindu businessman was brutally stabbed to death inside his own shop in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district just 48 hours before the national polls, heightening fears among minority communities ahead of the election on February 12, 2026. The killing comes amid a backdrop of unrest and a surge in violence directed at religious minorities in recent months.
Officials have launched a criminal investigation, but authorities have yet to establish a clear motive for the attack. The timing of the murder, so close to voting day, has stirred anxiety and raised questions about security and social cohesion in the run-up to the polls.
The deceased has been identified as Sushen Chandra Sarkar, a 62-year-old rice trader and owner of “Messrs Bhai Bhai Enterprise” located at the Bogar Bazar intersection in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh district. He was a resident of Southkanda village in the same area, where he had lived and worked for decades.
Sarkar was well-known in his local community as a long-time businessman supplying rice and other staples. His sudden and violent death shocked neighbours and traders alike, who described him as a peaceful and hardworking man.
According to police, the incident occurred around 11:00 pm when Sarkar was inside his shop. Unidentified attackers reportedly entered the premises and stabbed him with sharp weapons. After the assault, the perpetrators pulled down the shop’s shutter, left Sarkar’s body inside, and fled the scene, local police said.
Muhammad Firoz Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Trishal Police Station, confirmed that an investigation has been launched to identify and arrest those responsible. He said authorities are examining “all possible angles”, including robbery, personal dispute, and broader tensions affecting minority communities.
Sarkar’s killing is not an isolated incident. Over recent months, Bangladesh has seen a wave of brutal attacks against Hindu civilians, including murders, lynchings, and mob violence that have drawn widespread concern. Human rights activists and community leaders say these incidents have made members of the Hindu minority feel unsafe.
In Mymensingh district alone, a 27-year-old Hindu man named Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and his body set on fire last December in another shocking act of violence, prompting arrests and international attention.
Across the country, Hindus have reported multiple attack cases, leading rights groups to warn of a deepening climate of fear as the country prepares for elections.
Bangladesh is approaching a crucial general election scheduled for February 12, 2026 — its first since major political changes and unrest in 2024. Longstanding political tensions, a return of Islamist parties, and a series of high-profile violent incidents have created a volatile atmosphere.
Minority communities, including Hindus, are watching developments closely, as recent violence and alleged impunity for attackers have heightened concerns about safety, especially with polling days imminent.
Bangladesh is scheduled to hold its national election on February 12, 2026, making the killing of Hindu trader Sushen Chandra Sarkar particularly sensitive as it occurred just 48 hours before polling day.
The election marks a crucial political moment for the country, with heightened security across districts amid concerns over law and order, voter safety, and communal tensions during the final stretch of campaigning.
Law enforcement has confirmed that the murder of Sarkar is under active investigation. Police officers and forensic teams have visited the crime scene, collected evidence, and are reviewing CCTV footage and witness statements to determine the identities of the assailants.
While no arrests have been announced yet, authorities said they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including possible motives related to personal disputes, theft, or other criminal factors.
Sarkar’s death has deeply affected his family and neighbours. Many expressed shock at the brutality of the killing, while some community members said they fear for their own safety in the days leading up to the election. “It is a very sad and worrying time for all of us,” said one local trader. “We just want peace and security during the election.”
Minority advocacy groups have also urged the government to improve security at polling stations and ensure that all citizens — regardless of religion or background — can participate in the democratic process without fear.
Civil society organisations and human rights activists have called for a thorough investigation into the murder and other recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. They have also demanded stronger protection mechanisms, especially as the political climate becomes more charged ahead of the February polls.
With pressure mounting from both domestic and international observers, authorities are under scrutiny to deliver justice and restore public confidence in law and order.
