Stabbed and set on fire: Wife of Hindu businessman reveals brutality her husband faced

DHAKA: 50-year Khokon Chandra Das was brutally attacked by assailants in Shariatpur, Bangladesh, his wife has revealed. His wife Seema Das says that they have no enemies and that the assailants, who came without any provocation, stabbed Khokon Das and then poured petrol on his head and set him on fire. She alleged that her husband had identified two of the assailants, and they poured petrol on his head and set him on fire so that he would not reveal their identities.

"We had no dispute with anyone on any issue. I do not understand why my husband was suddenly targeted. We are Hindus, we want to live in peace. The attackers were Muslims. I request the government for help," Seema demands.

On Wednesday night, Khokon Das, a medical shop owner, was returning home in an autorickshaw after closing his shop when a group of people stopped him and attacked him. They stabbed him in the stomach and brutally beat him. Then, he was doused with petrol and set on fire. Das, who was in a state of panic, ran forward and jumped into a pond. Hearing Das' screams, locals rushed him to the hospital. Das, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College, is in critical condition. This is the fourth time in the last two weeks that a Hindu has been attacked by a mob in Bangladesh.

Deepu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, over allegations of blasphemy, while Amrit Mondal was killed in a separate incident in Rajbari, Bangladesh, days later over allegations of extortion.
The other day, Bajendra Biswas was shot dead by a colleague. There is a strong allegation that the interim government is doing nothing despite the increasing attacks on minorities in the country.