Dhaka: Khokon Chandra Das, a Hindu businessman who was attacked and set on fire in Bangladesh on New Year’s eve, succumbed to the grievous injuries on Saturday.
Dr Shaon Bin Rahman, professor at the National Burn Institute in Bangladesh, confirmed Khokon’s death.
“Khokon Das, who was injured in a fire attack in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur, passed away at 7.20 this morning at the National Burn Institute in Bangladesh,” ANI quoted Dr Shaon as saying.
The 50-year-old Khokon, who ran a pharmacy in Shariatpur, was attacked by a group of miscreants on the night of December 31 when he was returning home after closing his shop. The mob assaulted him, poured petrol on him and set him ablaze, Bangladeshi media reported.
He managed to dive into a pond and was rescued by locals. Initially rushed to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, Khokon was later taken to National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka. He was undergoing treatment there since late Thursday night, Khokon’s nephew Prashant Das said.
The victim’s condition deteriorated in the early hours of Saturday and he passed away in the ICU.
“We are at Shahbagh police station to complete formalities. After the legal process and autopsy, we will leave for the village with the body. He will be buried in his village house today,” Prothom Alo quoted Prashant as saying.
Khokon had named two persons for allegedly attacking him. Police identified one more alleged attacker who was present at the time of the incident. All three have been named as accused in the case filed by Khokon’s father Paresh Chandra Das.
“We have received information that Khokon Chandra Das, a businessman from Keurbhanga Bazar, has died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. We are in touch with Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. The body will be handed over to the family members after the autopsy there. Police are trying to arrest the accused in the case filed in that incident,” Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said.
Khokon’s death comes a fortnight after Dipu Chandra Das’ killing in Mymensingh and days after Bajendra Biswas was beaten to death amid repeated attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh.
