Violence Against Minorities
Dhaka
A Hindu factory owner and acting editor of a local newspaper was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Bangladesh on Monday evening, marking another violent incident targeting a member of the minority community.
The victim, 45-year-old Rana Pratap, was killed around 6 pm in the Kopalia Bazar area of Manirampur in Jashore district. According to officials, a group of men arrived on a motorcycle, called Pratap, out of his ice factory, took him into a nearby alley, and shot him in the head at close range before escaping.
Local residents told reporters that the attackers briefly argued with Pratap before opening fire. Pratap had been running the Kopalia Bazar ice factory for two years and was also serving as acting editor of the daily BD Khobor, published from Narail district.
The newspaper’s news editor, Abul Kashem, confirmed that Pratap had previously faced several cases but was acquitted in all of them, stating that he could not determine the motive behind the killing.
The incident comes amid rising concern over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, following recent reports of sexual assault and multiple murders of Hindu community members, drawing criticism of the interim government’s handling of minority protection.
Hindu widow gang-raped, tied to tree and cut her hair
Dhaka
A 40-year-old Hindu widow in Bangladesh was reportedly gang-raped and brutally assaulted in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah district. According to her police complaint, she had purchased a house and land from Shahin and his brother two-and-a-half years ago, after which Shahin allegedly began harassing her and making inappropriate advances. On Saturday evening, Shahin and his associate Hasan stormed into her home while two relatives were visiting, raped her, and demanded 50,000 taka. When she refused, they allegedly assaulted the visitors, forced them away, and tied her to a tree. The men then cut off her hair, filmed the act, and circulated the video on social media. Locals later rescued the unconscious woman and admitted her to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, where medical examination confirmed abuse. The survivor lodged a case naming Shahin and Hasan.
