Now Reading: Hindu businessman, 4 family members missing in Bangladesh
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Hindu businessman, 4 family members missing in Bangladesh
A Hindu businessman and four members of his family have been missing from Bangladesh's Chandpur district since August 20, police said. Pintu Das, who runs a shop and lends money against gold…
A Hindu businessman and four members of his family have been missing from Bangladesh's Chandpur district since August 20, police said. Pintu Das, who runs a shop and lends money against gold jewellery, disappeared with his wife, two teenage sons and another relative from his rented house.
Police officer Foyez Ahmed said there were allegations that several people had not received their gold back after pledging jewellery with Das. He said investigators are looking into whether the family went into hiding voluntarily or something else happened. Das' cousin Upama Dey said he had received threats and was under debt pressure.
The disappearance comes after a retired Hindu schoolteacher, his wife and two children were found dead in their locked home in Rangpur last week. Police arrested two suspects who allegedly killed the family during a robbery attempt. The investigation has been transferred to the detective branch.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Bangladesh's Hindu minority, about 8% of the 170 million population, has faced recurring attacks during political turmoil. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, in power since August 2024 after Sheikh Hasina's ouster, has pledged to protect minorities but critics say enforcement remains weak. The Rangpur killings initially ruled a robbery by local police drew scepticism because of the meticulous staging. The transfer to the detective branch signals the government is aware of the credibility risk. The UN Human Rights Office is monitoring minority safety in Bangladesh, and its next quarterly report could add international pressure. Watch for the detective branch's findings and whether arrests follow in the Chandpur disappearance.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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