Hindu Man Died In Bangladesh Amid Rising Violence
- Hindu man dies in Sunamganj after alleged assault over debt
- Rising violence against minorities draws concern in Bangladesh
A Hindu man died in Bangladesh as violence against minorities continued to rise across the country. The incident occurred in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj district, where a 19 year old man allegedly consumed poison following a dispute over a small debt. Local media reported the case amid growing concern over repeated attacks on Hindu communities.
The victim was identified as Joy Mohapatra. He died on Friday morning while undergoing treatment at M A G Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet. According to reports, the incident stemmed from a financial dispute involving a mobile phone purchase. Joy had bought a phone worth 5,500 Bangladeshi Taka from a grocery shopkeeper. He paid part of the amount in cash and agreed to clear the balance in weekly instalments of 500 Taka. Although he paid regularly, the final instalment was delayed.
Citing Joy’s cousin Ayan Das, Bangladeshi media outlet Sylhet View 24 reported that Joy went to the shop on Thursday to pay the instalment. It is alleged that he was beaten, humiliated, and had his mobile phone seized. Ayan later said that Joy admitted to consuming poison the same evening. He was first taken to Dirai Upazila Health Complex. However, as his condition worsened, doctors referred him to Sylhet.
Moni Rani Talukder, resident Medical Officer of Dirai Upazila Health Complex, said, “I was on duty at the time. As the patient’s condition was critical, he was immediately referred to Sylhet.” Meanwhile, Joy’s mother Shelly Mohapatra recalled the events in a statement quoted by Sylhet View 24. She said, “When they asked for money from him in the morning and did not get it, they took my son’s mobile phone away. Later, when he asked for the SIM, they asked him to come in the evening. When he went in the evening, they slapped my son. My son consumed poison at that shop.”
Police confirmed that they had received information about the incident. Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Officer in Charge of Dirai Police Station, said, “We have received information and inspected the scene. Legal action will be taken if we receive a complaint.” The death marks the eighth such incident in 22 days, highlighting a disturbing pattern of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
