Bangladesh: A 25-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Bhowmik, was burned to death on Friday night while asleep in a garage, authorities reported.
According to Narsingdi Police Superintendent Abdullah Al Faruque, CCTV footage from the scene shows suspicious activity. “We have collected footage from the CCTV cameras and observed a person moving around. We are investigating whether the fire was caused by an external factor or an electrical fault,” he said.
The fire reportedly started inside the shop where Bhowmik was sleeping. Fire service personnel broke open the shutter in an attempt to rescue him, but it was too late. Bhowmik’s body was found charred.
Superintendent Faruque added, “We are still investigating everything, and so far, no one has been arrested.” Authorities continue to examine whether the blaze was accidental or deliberate.
Rising Attacks on Hindu Communities
Incidents targeting Hindu communities in Bangladesh have reportedly increased in recent months. Following the death of local youth leader Osman Hadi on December 18, another man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob, tied to a tree, and set on fire over false blasphemy rumors.