Targeted attacks against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh continue to raise concern, with yet another death reported from Sunamganj district. The victim, identified as Joy Mahapatro, died after he was allegedly beaten and poisoned by a local resident, according to his family. Mahapatro was admitted to the ICU of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he later succumbed.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, and further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.

This latest case follows the death of Mithun Sarkar, a 25-year-old Hindu man from Bhandarpur village, who reportedly jumped into a canal to escape a mob chasing him on suspicion of theft. His body was recovered by police earlier this week.

In a related development, Bangladesh police on Thursday arrested the prime accused in the lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker who was killed after allegations of blasphemy. Officials identified the suspect as Yasin Arafat, a former teacher alleged to have played a key role in organising and leading the mob attack.

Rise in attacks ahead of elections

The incidents come amid a sharp rise in violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh as the country prepares for its first parliamentary elections since the 2024 uprising that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. Rights groups say the recent killings indicate a deteriorating security environment and a failure to protect minority citizens.

Human rights observers note that the pattern of attacks — including mob lynchings, communal violence and targeted assaults on Hindu businessmen and workers — points toward a systemic breakdown in law-and-order mechanisms.