Hindu shopkeeper killed in B’desh

A 62-year-old Hindu trader, Susen Chandra Sarkar, was hacked to death by unidentified attackers inside his shop in Trishal upazila of Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, local media reported. The attack occurred on Monday night at the Bogar Bazar intersection, according to police. Sarkar, the owner of Bhai Bhai Enterprise, was assaulted with a sharp weapon, left inside the shop and the shutters were closed. His family discovered him while searching for him and rushed him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead. The victim’s son said the family had no known enemies and alleged the assailants stole several hundred thousand taka from the shop. He demanded swift justice for his father’s killing. The murder comes amid concerns over rising violence against minority communities in Bangladesh. Hindu groups say communal attacks have increased as parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12 approach, with dozens of incidents reported in recent months.