Bangladesh arrests 7 over lynching of Hindu man: Yunus government
What's the story
Seven people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of 27-year-old Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The arrests were made by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) after a series of raids, the Yunus government announced. In a post on X, Bangladesh's interim government head Muhammad Yunus identified the accused as Md Limon Sarkar (19), Md Tarek Hossain (19), Md Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain, and Md Miraj Hossain Akon.
Rising concerns
Das's lynching sparks fears of minority attacks
The incident has raised fears of targeted attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and drawn concern from rights bodies and foreign leaders. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor appreciated the Bangladeshi government's condemnation but questioned what measures were being taken to punish the murderers and prevent future incidents. Author Taslima Nasreen claimed Das was a victim of a "fake accusation" and alleged he was under police protection before being lynched.
Unrest backdrop
Das's lynching amid anti-India protests
The lynching of Das took place amid unrest in Bangladesh over the assassination of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was shot in Dhaka and later died in Singapore after six days of treatment. His death has led to widespread unrest in Bangladesh, with reports of arson, vandalism, and looting from different regions around Dhaka.
International response
UN calls for restraint amid violent protests
In this regard, the United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, has called for an end to all forms of violence and revenge attacks in Bangladesh. Turk urged authorities to conduct a "prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation" into Hadi's death. He warned that "retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all." The body also emphasized protecting electoral rights as Bangladesh approaches elections in two months.