Hindu Garment Worker Beaten and Burned to Death by a Mob in Bhaluka

The brutal killing of a Hindu garment worker in Bhaluka of Mymensingh district by beating and burning him to death by a mob has sparked intense concern and outrage across the country. The deceased was identified as Dipu Chandra Das (approximately 28). He was a resident of Tarakanda upazila and worked as a laborer at the Dubulia Pioneer Knit Factory.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has stated that although allegations were made against Dipu Chandra Das of “making derogatory remarks about the Prophet and religion,” no direct evidence supporting this claim has been found so far. RAB’s Mymensingh Company Commander, Md. Samsuzzaman, told BBC Bangla, “If the deceased had written something on Facebook or if someone had directly heard him say such words, the matter would have been different. But we have not found anyone who personally saw or heard any act of religious blasphemy.”

According to RAB and police statements, on Thursday evening some workers inside the factory began assaulting Dipu Chandra Das. At that time, allegations of “insulting the Prophet” began spreading verbally among people. Later, an agitated crowd gathered outside the factory and demanded that Dipu be handed over to them.

As the situation quickly spiraled out of control, the factory authorities terminated Dipu Chandra Das from his job. RAB claimed, “To protect the factory, the officials pushed the victim outside.” Although the situation became tense around 5 p.m., the police were informed only around 8 p.m.

After being taken outside the factory, Dipu Chandra Das was brutally beaten beside the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway. Later, he was tied to a tree on the road island in the Jamirdia Square Masterbari bus stand area and set on fire. When the rope burned and snapped, his body fell to the ground. Police and army personnel later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Following the circulation of videos of the incident on social media, widespread criticism erupted. However, the Officer-in-Charge of Bhaluka Model Police Station, Mohammad Zahidul Islam, stated that claims that the victim had sought refuge with the police were completely “false.” He said, “We were informed very late. The incident started inside the factory, and he was taken from there and killed.”

The victim’s cousin, Kartik Chandra Das, said, “It is clearly visible in the video who were involved. My brother was killed based on false allegations. We only want justice.” Dipu Chandra Das was the father of a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Due to his job, he lived separately from his family in a mess near the factory area.

In connection with the incident, RAB has detained seven people based on video analysis and interrogation. Police have also separately detained three individuals and filed a case.

On Friday, the interim government strongly condemned the incident in a statement, saying, “There is no place for such violence in the new Bangladesh. None of those involved in this heinous crime will be spared.”