Dhaka: A bomb explosion inside a Hindu temple and two separate killings of Hindu men within days have raised fresh concerns about the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh, according to reports and statements from a Hindu rights organisation.
Members of the Bangladesh Jatio Hindu Mohajote said that over the past week a crude bomb attack during a religious ceremony in Cumilla injured several people, while two men were killed in separate incidents in Bogura and Cox’s Bazar.
Explosion during temple ritual
The blast occurred during a Shani Dev puja at a temple in the South Thakurpara area of Cumilla city on the evening of March 7. According to the rights group, crude bombs were thrown inside the temple during the worship, leaving the priest and several devotees injured.
Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported that the explosion took place at the Kaligach Tala Kali Mandir while a religious ceremony was underway.
Police from Kotwali Model Police Station said priest Keshob Chakraborty and two others were taken to hospital for treatment after the blast.
Temple committee president Sajol Kumar Chanda said the incident happened when worshippers had gathered for the ritual. CCTV footage from the area reportedly shows a masked individual entering the temple shortly before the explosion and leaving a bag inside.
Chakraborty, who was injured in the blast, told local media that he initially did not realise what had happened.
“After the explosion, something white fell in front of me. Later people told me it was a bomb when they saw the smoke,” he said.
Witnesses said the incident created panic in the neighbourhood. According to reports, two additional crude bombs were detonated nearby, one close to a Buddhist temple and another near a private office.
Local police officials and bomb disposal teams later visited the site and began an investigation.
Two killings reported
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Jatio Hindu Mohajote reported that Chayon Rajbhar (40) was stabbed to death in Sariakandi upazila of Bogura district on March 6. Rajbhar, who ran a coaching centre called The New Contest, was reportedly attacked during a dispute related to land.
In a separate incident a day later, Ganesh Pal (29) was killed in Cox’s Bazar town after allegedly refusing to pay extortion money demanded by criminals, the organisation said.
Earlier incidents cited
The group also referred to two recent killings in Chattogram district.
A young man named Akash Das was reportedly killed in the Alankar area of Chattogram city after protesting against extortion from workers. In another case, Chandan Dey (70) was shot dead in Badurpara of Chandanaish upazila after resisting cattle theft by armed criminals.
Call for investigation
The Bangladesh Jatio Hindu Mohajote has urged authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the incidents and take swift legal action against those responsible. The organisation also called for financial support for affected families and stronger measures to prevent attacks on minority communities.
