Two more Hindu men have been killed in separate incidents in Bangladesh, raising the number of minority killings to six within just 19 days of the new government led by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman assuming power.

The latest incidents occurred on Friday night (March 6) and Saturday afternoon (March 7) in Bogura and Cox’s Bazar, respectively.

Hindu teacher stabbed to death in Bogura

On March 6, 2026 (Friday) night, Chayon Rajbhar (40), a Hindu man, was killed in Phulbari Bazar of Sariakandi Upazila in Bogura district following a dispute over land. Two others, including the victim’s brother, were injured during the attack.

According to police and local sources, Chayon Rajbhar, son of Tularam Rajbhar of the Mochi community in Phulbari Uttarpara village, was the director of a coaching center named ‘The New Contest Coaching Center’ in Phulbari Bazar.

The dispute reportedly stemmed from a long-standing land conflict. Around 9:30 pm on Friday, an argument broke out between the two sides over the contested property. During the confrontation, Shaheen Fakir and his sons allegedly attacked Rajbhar and stabbed him in the chest.

Local residents rushed Rajbhar to the Sariakandi Upazila Health Complex in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead shortly after arrival.

While attempting to save him, his brother Nayan Rajbhar was seriously injured and later admitted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura. Another individual, Aminur Fakir, also sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at the local health complex.

The victim’s elder brother, Pradip Rajbhar, filed a murder case with Sariakandi Police Station naming eight suspects and accusing a total of 15 individuals. Those named include Shaheen Fakir, Aminul Fakir, Fain Fakir, Rahat Fakir, Rakib Fakir, Rabbi Fakir, Nurnabi Johnny Fakir and Taher Fakir.

Police conducted overnight raids and arrested five suspects — Shaheen Fakir, Aminul Fakir, Rabbi Fakir, Rakib Fakir and Taher Fakir.

Meanwhile, students of  “New Contest Coaching Center” staged a protest march on Saturday morning demanding justice for their teacher. The procession started at Phulbari Bazar and ended at the Sariakandi Upazila Parishad, where demonstrators blocked the main road for some time before normal traffic resumed following intervention by the administration.

The students also submitted a memorandum to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sumaiya Ferdous described the killing as “deeply unfortunate” and assured that law enforcement agencies had already begun working on the case to ensure justice for the victim’s family.

Sariakandi Police Station Officer-in-Charge AFM Asaduzzaman confirmed that five of the 15 accused had been arrested and sent to jail through court orders, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Hindu shopkeeper killed in Cox’s Bazar

In a separate incident, Ganesh Pal (29) was found stabbed to death on Saturday afternoon in the Pallankata area near a BGB camp in Cox’s Bazar town. Police recovered his body around 3 pm and sent it to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Ganesh Pal, son of Bishwanath Pal, was a grocery shop owner at Cox’s Bazar Municipal Market.

According to local residents, the victim had recently started constructing a house in Pallankata and was installing a septic tank at the site. Earlier that day he had been at his shop with his brother before visiting the construction site.

His wife Shefali Pal and brother Ashish Pal told reporters that local youths had been demanding extortion money from Ganesh Pal in recent days, allegedly using political influence. They believe the same group was responsible for the killing and demanded capital punishment for those involved.

Former Cox’s Bazar municipal councilor Rajbihari Das condemned the incident, stating that killing someone in broad daylight over extortion demands is unacceptable and urging authorities to take swift action.

Officer-in-Charge of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station said the victim’s family claims the murder occurred after he refused to pay extortion money. Police are investigating the matter and legal proceedings are underway.

Rising concerns over minority safety

The killings come less than three weeks after the BNP-led government assumed office on February 17, following the general election held on February 12.

Minority organizations had earlier expressed serious concerns about attacks and abuses targeting religious minorities during the previous administration, alleging incidents resembling ethnic cleansing against Hindus.

Many hoped that the return of an elected democratic government would improve the situation. However, reports of attacks on minorities — including land grabs, arson, vandalism of temples and idols, rape, and killings — have continued.

Prior to the latest incidents, four other minority-related killings had been reported:

• On February 25, Akash Das, a Hindu factory worker in Chattogram, was stabbed to death by alleged extortionists.
• On February 26, Chandan Dey (70) was shot dead by robbers in a Hindu neighborhood in Chandanaiish municipality.
• On March 4, two young men — Sagar (32) and Sanarul (34) of the nomadic Bede community — were tied to trees and beaten to death overnight in Satgharia area of Louhajang, Munshiganj, after being accused of stealing electrical wires.

Local residents reportedly called the national emergency hotline 999 multiple times during the night seeking police intervention, but no law enforcement personnel arrived until morning, by which time the victims had already died.

With the latest two killings in Bogura and Cox’s Bazar, the number of minority-related murders reported within just 19 days of the new administration stands at six, raising fresh concerns about the safety of religious and marginalized communities in Bangladesh.

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