The most recent event occurred on the night of Wednesday, December 24, in Pangsha upazila of the Rajbari district, as reported by Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star, referencing police officials.
The victim has been identified as Amrit Mondal. According to local police, Mondal was allegedly involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, and had purportedly formed a gang operating within the area. On the day of the incident, Mondal and his associates reportedly visited a local resident’s house to demand money, which provoked a violent reaction from the community.
Police arrived quickly after receiving the information and found Mondal in critical condition. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 2:00 am, stated Assistant Superintendent of Police (Pangsha Circle) Debrata Sarkar, as per The Daily Star. His body was subsequently sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police response and criminal history
Most of Mondal’s associates fled the scene following the incident; however, police apprehended one individual and seized firearms from him, according to law enforcement officials. Police records indicate that Mondal had at least two cases against him, including one for murder.
This occurrence has attracted attention as it follows closely after another Hindu man, Dipu Das, was lynched in Mymensingh over allegations of blasphemy, with his body later set ablaze. Police have arrested 12 individuals in connection with that case, according to news agency PTI.
Das’ killing sparked widespread protests from factory workers, students, and human rights organizations in Dhaka and other areas of Bangladesh, leading India to formally express its concerns. The interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated it would assume responsibility for the welfare of Das’ minor child, wife, and parents.
Government denies communal narrative
In response to the Rajbari incident, the Bangladesh government released a statement on December 25, categorically rejecting assertions that the killing was communal in nature.
“Based on police information and initial investigations, this incident was not a communal attack. It resulted from a violent situation stemming from extortion and acts of terrorism,” the statement read.
The government labeled Mondal as “a prominent terrorist known as Amrit Mondal alias Somrat” and noted that he had outstanding arrest warrants for multiple serious offenses. It added that police arrested his associate Selim at the scene and recovered weapons, while three cases have been initiated regarding the incident.
“The government strongly condemns this killing,” the statement emphasized, stating that it “does not endorse any form of extrajudicial actions, mob lynching, or violence of any kind.” It also cautioned against attempts to frame the incident as communal, labeling such claims as “utterly unfounded and driven by ulterior motives.”
