A 28-year-old Hindu man was found dead with multiple injury marks and his hands and legs tied in Bangladesh's Moulvibazar district on Wednesday, a day before voting, triggering fresh concerns over the safety of minorities ahead of the polls.
The victim has been identified as Ratan Sahuakar, who worked in the tea gardens of the Champa area. His body was recovered around 10 am on Wednesday morning. According to initial information, deep wounds were visible on his body, and his hands and legs were bound. Blood was reportedly still oozing from the injuries when the body was discovered.
Ratan's co-workers have alleged that he was murdered. They said the nature of the injuries and the fact that his limbs were tied point to foul play.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining whether the killing was election-related or stemmed from other motives. No official confirmation has been issued so far regarding the cause or circumstances of death.
The recent killing came days after another Hindu businessman was brutally murdered by unknown assailants in Mymensingh district. The victim, identified as 62-year-old Sushen Chandra Sarkar, was a rice trader. According to police, the attackers hacked Sarkar with a sharp weapon, left him inside his shop and closed the shutter.
They even stole lakhs of rupees before fleeing the scene. Sarkar was rushed to a hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead.
Voting for Bangladesh's crucial general election is underway and will continue until 4.30 pm. The counting of votes is expected to begin shortly after the voting concludes.
Elections are being held 18 months after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government took charge following the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year-old regime in massive nationwide protests. Yunus, who had pledged an early handover of power to the incoming elected government, called on political parties, candidates and stakeholders to exercise restraint and uphold democratic norms during polling.
