A Hindu garment factory security guard was shot dead inside a factory in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, marking the third killing of a Hindu man in the country within the past two weeks and intensifying concerns over the safety of minorities. The incident occurred at around 6:45 pm on Monday at Sultana Sweaters Limited, a factory operated by the Labib Group in the Bhaluka upazila area.
The victim was identified as 42-year-old Bajendra Biswas, an Ansar member deployed at the factory for security duties. Police said the accused, 29-year-old Noman Mia, was also an Ansar member posted at the same facility. The Ansar force in Bangladesh operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is responsible for providing armed security at government offices, industrial units, and other sensitive locations.
According to police officials and eyewitness accounts, both men were inside the Ansar barracks on the factory premises when the incident occurred. During an interaction, Noman Mia allegedly pointed his government-issued shotgun at Biswas in what appeared to be a casual or careless manner. Moments later, the weapon discharged, and the bullet struck Biswas in the left thigh. He was immediately taken to the Bhaluka Upazila Health Complex, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The officer-in-charge of the local police station, Md Jahidul Islam, confirmed that the accused has been arrested and the firearm used in the shooting has been seized. The victim’s body has been sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the shooting.
The killing has heightened anxiety as it comes amid a series of violent incidents involving members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Earlier this month, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Bhaluka following allegations of blasphemy. He was reportedly beaten, stripped, and set on fire, sparking widespread outrage. Just days later, another Hindu man was beaten to death in a separate incident near Mymensingh, further deepening fears of escalating violence.
Bangladesh’s government has maintained that these incidents are isolated criminal acts and not part of a broader pattern. However, rights groups and observers, including voices from India, have expressed serious concern over the apparent rise in attacks on minorities and the climate of insecurity surrounding them.
The recent killings have also triggered protests across the country. Demonstrations have been held in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities, with participants demanding justice for the victims, stronger protection for religious minorities, and stricter action against perpetrators. Civil society groups have warned that repeated incidents of violence, if left unchecked, could further erode communal harmony and public trust in law enforcement.
