Killing adds to rising violence against minorities under Bangladesh’s interim government
By | Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai: A Hindu journalist and factory owner was shot dead in a targeted attack in southwestern Bangladesh on Monday evening. The victim, identified as Rana Pratap (45), was shot multiple times in the head and had his throat slit by unidentified assailants who arrived on a motorcycle.
Attack Details
The incident took place around 6 pm in the Kopalia Bazar area of Manirampur sub-district in Jashore district. According to local officials, the attackers called Pratap out of his ice factory, led him into a nearby alley, opened fire at close range and fled the scene.
Seven bullet casings were recovered from the spot, indicating multiple shots were fired. Police later confirmed that Pratap was shot three times in the head and his throat was also slit.
Victim’s Background
Rana Pratap was the acting editor of the Bengali daily BD Khobor, published from Narail district. He was also running an ice factory in Kopalia Bazar for the past two years. He was the son of a schoolteacher from Arua village in neighbouring Keshabpur sub-district.
While some local sources claimed that Pratap had multiple cases filed against him and alleged links to an extremist group, the newspaper’s news editor, Abul Kashem, said Pratap had been acquitted in all earlier cases. Police said they are investigating all possible angles.
Police Investigation Underway
Manirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Raziullah Khan confirmed that Pratap’s body has been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination. “We are investigating who was involved in the murder and the motive behind it,” he said.
Part of a Wider Pattern of Violence
Pratap’s killing comes amid a disturbing rise in violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. Since December, at least three Hindu men have been killed, and a Hindu widow was recently raped in Jhenaidah district in a brutal assault that drew nationwide outrage.
In another case, Khokon Chandra Das died after being set on fire by a mob, while two others — Amrit Mondal and Dipu Chandra Das — were lynched and their bodies burned in separate incidents.
International Concern
The spike in attacks has prompted condemnation from international observers. India has raised concerns over what it described as “unremitting hostility” against minorities under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, stating that it is closely monitoring the situation.
The Bangladesh government has maintained that it is committed to protecting minority communities and ensuring law and order.
