Hindu Businessman Hacked to Death in Bangladesh Days Before Elections

A Hindu businessman was brutally murdered by unknown assailants in Bangladesh on the night of February 9, just two days before the South Asian country votes for its national parliamentary elections. The killing marks the second attack on a Hindu man in Mymensingh district in recent weeks.

The victim, 62-year-old Sushen Chandra Sarkar, was a rice trader and resident of Dakshinkanda village who owned "Bhai Bhai Enterprise" at Bogar Bazar intersection.

Murder and Robbery

According to police, the murder occurred at 11 PM at the market intersection. Unknown assailants allegedly hacked Sarkar with a sharp weapon, left him inside the shop, and closed the shutters. They also stole lakhs of rupees from the shop after committing the murder.

Sarkar's family found him covered in blood inside the shop while searching for him. He was rushed to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Family's Statement

Sujan Sarkar, the victim's son, said the murderers robbed the shop after killing his father.

"We have had a rice business for a long time. No one had any enmity with us. The criminals stole several hundred thousand taka from the store after they brutally killed my father," he said.

Pattern of Violence

The incident occurred in the same Mymensingh district where another Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched and burnt in December over false blasphemy allegations. That killing had triggered diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Pre-Election Violence

The murder comes at a sensitive time as Bangladesh prepares for national parliamentary elections on February 11. Attacks on minorities have been a recurring concern in the country, particularly during politically charged periods.

No arrests have been made so far. Police are investigating the case.