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Hindu Youth Allegedly Burned to Death in Narsingdi, Bangladesh
Jan 25, 2026A 23-year-old Hindu mechanic, Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, was reportedly burned to death after his car repair workshop was set on fire in Narsingdi town late on January 23.
Police and eyewitnesses said the fire appeared to have been deliberately ignited from outside the shutter of the garage located near Khana Bari Mosque Market, close to the Police Lines. With petrol and engine oil stored inside, the blaze spread rapidly, trapping Chanchal, who died on the spot from severe burns. CCTV footage reportedly shows individuals setting the fire before fleeing the scene.
Chanchal, the sole breadwinner for his family from Barura Upazila in Cumilla District, is mourned by locals and colleagues, who have rejected claims that the fire was accidental. They are calling for a swift investigation and arrests, describing the incident as a premeditated attack.
The killing is the latest in a series of alleged attacks on Hindu individuals in recent weeks, including incidents in Shariatpur and Mymensingh, raising fears among minority communities. Human rights groups say these attacks may point to a broader pattern of violence against minorities and have criticized the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, for its handling of law and order.
Since the political transition in August 2024, observers have warned of rising political and communal violence. While authorities maintain that most incidents are criminal rather than communal, critics argue such assertions downplay concerns of minority groups.
Police have confirmed that CCTV footage has been collected and multiple teams are investigating, but no arrests have been made so far. The killing has cast a shadow of grief over Narsingdi and intensified scrutiny of the country’s deteriorating security situation.
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