Jessore, Bangladesh – A Hindu businessman shot dead in Bangladesh’s Jessore district on Monday has raised fresh concerns about the safety of minorities in the Muslim-majority nation. The victim, identified as 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in a targeted attack that occurred in broad daylight at a busy marketplace. Bairagi, who owned an ice-making factory and served as the acting editor of a newspaper, was killed in circumstances that remain under investigation by local authorities.
Victim’s Identity and Background
Rana Pratap Bairagi was a resident of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila of Jessore district in the Khulna Division. The Hindu businessman shot dead was known in the community for his entrepreneurial activities and media involvement. Bairagi owned an ice-making factory at Kopaliya Bazar in Monirampur and simultaneously served as the acting editor of ‘Dainik BD Khabar’, a newspaper published from Narail. His dual role as a businessman and media professional made him a prominent figure in the local community, though it remains unclear whether these activities played any role in his targeted killing.
Details of the Fatal Attack
The shooting that left the Hindu businessman shot dead took place around 5:45 pm at Kapalia Bazar, according to Additional Police Superintendent Abul Basar. The attack was executed with calculated precision by three men riding a motorcycle. Citing police and local residents, reports indicate that the assailants called Bairagi out of his ice factory and took him to an alley in front of the Kapalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre, located on the western side of Kapalia Bazar. Once isolated in the alley, the attackers shot him in the head from close range before fleeing the scene immediately.
Brutality of the Murder
The violence inflicted on the Hindu businessman shot dead was particularly brutal. Monirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rajiullah Khan confirmed the horrific nature of the attack, stating that Bairagi was shot three times in the head. Additionally, his throat was slit by the assailants, suggesting the attack was not merely meant to kill but to send a message. The victim died on the spot from his injuries. The extreme brutality of the murder has shocked the local community and raised questions about the motive behind such a vicious attack.
Police Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for leaving the Hindu businessman shot dead at Kapalia Bazar. Police Officer-in-Charge Khan stated that the motive behind the murder was not yet known, and investigators are exploring multiple angles. Police also revealed that four cases are registered against the deceased in two police stations, though details of these cases were not immediately available. Investigators are examining whether these pending cases had any connection to the killing or if other factors motivated the assailants. The investigation aims to determine whether there was a communal angle to the attack or if it stemmed from personal or business disputes.
Context of Rising Violence Against Hindus
The incident of the Hindu businessman shot dead comes against a backdrop of multiple crimes targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. While it was not immediately clear if there was a communal angle to Bairagi’s killing, the timing and context have raised concerns among minority communities. The killing represents the latest in a disturbing series of violent incidents targeting members of the Hindu community across Bangladesh, prompting fears about the deteriorating security situation for religious minorities.
Also Read: Baloch Leader Jaishankar Letter: Urgent Warning on China-Pakistan Alliance
Recent Attacks on Hindu Community Members
Just days before the Hindu businessman shot dead in Jessore, another Hindu man named Khokon Chandra Das, 50, died on January 3 after being brutally attacked, hacked, and set on fire. On December 24, Amrit Mondal, another Hindu man, was lynched over alleged extortion in Rajbari town’s Pangsha upazila. Earlier on December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, 25, was lynched by a mob and his body set on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city. These incidents demonstrate a troubling pattern of violence against the Hindu minority.
Pattern of Targeted Violence
The case of the Hindu businessman shot dead follows other alarming incidents. On December 23, unidentified men set fire to the home of Qatar expatriate workers Shukh Shil and Anil Shil in the Raojan area on the outskirts of Chattogram, though the residents managed to escape unharmed. The frequency and intensity of these attacks have created an atmosphere of fear within the Hindu community, with many questioning the adequacy of security measures and law enforcement responses.
Community Concerns and Security Questions
The murder of the Hindu businessman shot dead has intensified discussions about minority protection in Bangladesh. Community leaders and human rights observers have expressed concern about the apparent increase in targeted violence against Hindus. The sophisticated nature of Bairagi’s killing, involving multiple assailants who successfully lured him away from his workplace before executing the attack, suggests premeditated planning. The fact that the perpetrators remain unidentified despite the public nature of the attack raises questions about investigative capabilities and the potential for witnesses to come forward.
As authorities continue their investigation into why the Hindu businessman shot dead was targeted, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing religious minorities in Bangladesh. The community awaits answers about whether this was a hate crime, a business dispute turned deadly, or connected to Bairagi’s journalistic activities, while hoping for swift justice and enhanced security measures to prevent future tragedies.
