'Houses of 7 Hindu families were burnt': Bangladesh reports increased targeted attacks amid unrest; family narrates narrow escape

Houses of at least seven Hindu families have been burnt down in Bangladesh in the last five days in what seems to be a targeted attack on the minorities as the nation is in turmoil, local media reports said.

As per local media reports, the recent arson attack happened on Tuesday while eight members of two families were asleep inside their houses. Waking up to thick smoke, a family narrated their narrow escape from the fire.


"We panicked and tried to rush out, but found the hooks fastened from the outside on both doors," The Daily Star quoted Mithun Shil as saying. Shil is a Dubai expatriate who returned Bangladesh three months ago for his wedding.


"Eventually, we had to cut through the bamboo and tin walls to save our lives," he said.

The police said that five suspects have been arrested so far during police raids, while efforts were ongoing to track down the remaining accused.

He added that police have also held a meeting with local influential figures to promote interfaith harmony and strengthen community vigilance against those involved in such “heinous crimes.”

Calling it a planned attack, Mithun said, "A similar incident occurred at another Hindu house in a neighbouring village just three days ago. Since the law enforcement agencies haven't caught the perpetrators yet, these incidents keep happening."

Bangladesh has reported two lynchings in a the last seven days sparking outrage over lack of safety of minority communities in the South Asian nation.

A mob last week lynched 28-year-old Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das in central Mymensingh over allegations of religious defamation, triggering widespread protests across the country. Another man, identified as Amrit Mondal, was killed by a mob on Wednesday on over an extortion allegation.