Samir Das, a 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver, was beaten to death in Chittagong district, highlighting rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Photo: Collected
Melbourne: January 13: A 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver, Samir Das, was beaten to death in Bangladesh in what rights groups say is part of a fresh wave of attacks targeting religious minorities. The killing took place on Sunday night in Daganbhuiyan, in Chittagong district. According to police and local media reports, Samir was assaulted with crude weapons and stabbed multiple times before he died from his injuries. After the attack, the assailants fled with his battery-powered auto-rickshaw.
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Police described the incident as a planned attack.
A senior official from Daganbhuiyan police said early investigations indicate the killing was carefully planned.
“Samir was assaulted and fatally stabbed with homemade weapons. At first glance, this looks like a deliberate and organised murder. After killing him, the attackers also made off with his auto-rickshaw,” the officer said, adding that the victim’s family is in the process of lodging a formal police complaint.
The victim’s family is preparing to file a formal complaint, while police have launched a manhunt to track down those responsible.
The killing has sparked alarm among human rights organisations. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council warned that violence against minorities is rising sharply as the country approaches its national elections. The group said repeated attacks on Hindu communities have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity across the country.
India has also raised concerns about the treatment of minorities in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. New Delhi has repeatedly urged Dhaka to ensure the safety of Hindus and other vulnerable groups. India’s Ministry of External Affairs recently described the violence as part of a “disturbing pattern” of attacks on minority homes and businesses, warning that attempts to downplay such incidents only embolden extremist elements.
The death of Samir Das has once again drawn attention to the increasingly precarious situation faced by Bangladesh’s religious minorities. As the election season draws closer, rights groups and international observers are calling for stronger action to curb extremism, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure those responsible for such crimes are held accountable.
