DHAKA, Dec 26 — For the second time in days, a Hindu man has been killed in a mob attack in Bangladesh, intensifying concerns over vigilante violence in the country. Amrit Mandal, 35, was beaten to death on Wednesday night, 24 December, in Rajbari district, shortly after the high-profile lynching of another Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das.
Bangladesh Mob Violence: Details of the Latest Fatal Attack
The incident occurred around 11 PM in Hosendanga village, Pangsha upazila. According to local police, the victim, Amrit Mandal alias Samrat, was the alleged leader of a group called “Samrat Bahini,” which police records list as being involved in unlawful activities like extortion. Superintendent of Police Debrata Sarkar stated that Mandal had fled to India previously but had returned and was allegedly continuing his activities. Police have arrested one associate, Mohammad Selim, and reportedly recovered firearms.
Another Hindu lynching in Bangladesh.
Amrit Mandal, after Dipu Chandra Das.The world media is silent because this time it involves Bangladeshi Hindus, not Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/NtGvMhlT6N
— ` (@chixxsays) December 25, 2025
Government Calls it Criminal, Not Communal
The interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, swiftly issued a statement condemning the killing but explicitly denied a communal motive. The government’s statement, reported by the state-run BSS news agency, asserted the incident stemmed from “a violent situation arising from extortion and terrorist activities,” not a sectarian attack. It vowed legal action against all involved and reiterated it “does not support any kind of illegal activities, mass beatings or violence.”
Bangladesh Mob Violence: A Pattern of Violence Raises Alarm
This killing follows the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das and a separate arson attack on a Hindu-owned home in Chattogram. In the arson case, unidentified assailants locked a family inside and set the house on fire early on December 23; the eight occupants narrowly escaped by breaking through walls. A cash reward has been announced for information on the attackers. The sequence of events has heightened anxiety among the Hindu minority and highlighted mob violence as a significant problem in Bangladesh’s current political climate.
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Victim’s Background Complicates Narrative
Although the attacks have unsettled the minority community, Amrit Mandal’s background presents a more complex picture. Authorities have described him as an alleged extortionist and the head of a local “terrorist” group. This has enabled police to say the killing was not driven by hate, but by criminal rivalry or vigilante justice. However, occurring amid a series of attacks on Hindu homes, the incident has sparked concern and demands for thorough, impartial inquiries.
Communal Tensions in a Changed Political Climate
The twin killings and arson attack have taken place amid concerns over a security vacuum and political adjustment after changes in the country’s leadership. Community leaders are pressing for greater protection for minorities, while the government is portraying the violence as criminal in nature. The police reward in the arson case reflects official awareness of the seriousness of the issue, even as claims of systematic communal violence are rejected.
Immediate FAQ:
Q: Who was Amrit Mandal?
A: He was a 35-year-old Hindu man in Bangladesh whom police identified as the alleged leader of an extortion group called “Samrat Bahini.”
Q: Is the government treating this as a hate crime?
A: No. The interim government’s statement explicitly denied a communal motive, calling it an outcome of criminal extortion and terrorist activities.
Q: What other recent attacks have happened?
A: This follows the mob lynching of Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das and an arson attack where a Hindu family’s home was deliberately set on fire in Chattogram.
Q: Has anyone been arrested?
A: Yes, police have arrested one man, Mohammad Selim, described as an associate of Amrit Mandal. They have also announced a reward for information on the arson attackers.
