'Shot by his colleague': Another Hindu man killed in Bangladesh; 3rd incident in two weeks

Bajendra Biswas, a Hindu worker was killed on Monday after being shot while on duty at a garment factory in Bangladesh's Mymensingh. The accused, fellow Ansar member Noman Mia, has been arrested, news agency ANI reported citing local media.

The shooting took place around 6.30pm at the Sultana Sweaters Limited in the Mehrabari area. Police said around 20 Ansar members were on duty when Noman Mia allegedly pressed a shotgun against Bajendra Biswas’s thigh and fired. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where he was declared dead, news agency ANI reported citing local media.





Also read: Another man lynched days after killing of Hindu worker Dipu Chandra Das

"Confirming the matter, APC Md Azahar Ali, an Ansar member on duty with the Labib Group and an eyewitness to the incident, said that at the time of the incident, Noman Mia and Bajendra Das were sitting together in his room. Suddenly, Noman Mia pressed the shotgun against Bajendra Das's thigh and said, "Shall I shoot?" and then fired. After that, Noman fled the scene. He also stated that he did not see any argument or dispute between them prior to the incident," the report said.

The incident comes as Bangladesh has reported an increase against targeting of Minorites. Earlier this week, a man identified as Amrit Mondal killed over allegations of extortion which comes just days after the murder of factory worker Dipu Chandra Das, an incident that drew sharp criticism over the safety of minorities in the country.

Bangladesh's interim government had condemned the killing of Dipu saying, "We wholeheartedly condemn lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh. There is no space for such violence in new Bangladesh. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared."

Earlier on Saturday, India also expressed its concern, “The unremitting hostilities against minorities in Bangladesh… are a matter of grave concern,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.