A Hindu man was shot dead in full public view on Monday evening in Bangladesh’s Jashore district, sparking fear and tension among residents of the area. The incident occurred at around 5:45 pm at Kopalia Bazar, located in Ward No. 17 of Manirampur upazila, where people had gathered for routine market activities.
The victim has been identified as Rana Pratap, aged 45, the son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi. He was a resident of Arua village under Keshabpur upazila. According to eyewitness accounts and information provided by police sources, Rana Pratap was at the market when unidentified attackers suddenly opened fire on him.
The assailants reportedly fired multiple rounds, hitting Rana Pratap several times. He sustained serious bullet injuries and collapsed at the scene, dying instantly before any medical help could arrive. The sudden shooting created panic in the crowded market area, with shopkeepers hurriedly shutting down their stalls and people fleeing in fear.
Soon after the incident, personnel from Manirampur Police Station rushed to the spot and managed to bring the situation under control. Security was tightened in and around the market area as police began preliminary inquiries and secured the crime scene.
Confirming the killing, Manirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rajiullah Khan said that police were present at the location and necessary procedures were being followed. He stated that arrangements were being made to recover the body and send it for a post-mortem examination, which would help establish further details about the attack.
Police officials said an investigation has been launched to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting. Efforts are underway to track down those responsible and ensure their arrest.
This killing is the fifth such violent incident reported in Bangladesh over the past three weeks, coming amid ongoing protests and rising tensions in several parts of the country. The repeated attacks have raised serious concerns about public safety and the security of minority communities.
Earlier incidents include the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment factory worker who was beaten to death during mob violence. Another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was also reported killed in connection with the recent unrest.
In a separate incident in Mymensingh district, Bajendra Biswas, a member of the Hindu community, was shot dead. Meanwhile, Khokon Chandra Das, a Hindu businessman, was attacked by a mob on New Year’s Eve, stabbed, and then set on fire. He later died while undergoing treatment for severe burn injuries at the National Burn Institute in Dhaka. That attack took place on December 31 near Keurbhanga Bazar in Koneshwar Union of Damudya upazila in Shariatpur district.
The series of violent incidents has heightened anxiety among local communities, with many calling for stronger security measures and swift justice for the victims.
