A violent mob attack on Poresh Chandra Shil (69) and his son Bishnu Chandra Shil (34) in Lalmonirhat’s Paglar Mor area on Sunday allegedly stemmed from a dispute over just Tk10, according to the victims’ family.
The father-son duo, now jailed, were beaten by a group claiming religious insult before being handed over to police.
Bishnu’s wife Deepa Rani told Times of Bangladesh that the conflict began last Friday when Nazmul, an employee of Abdul Majid’s grocery store, visited Poresh’s barbershop. After a haircut, Nazmul allegedly refused to pay the full amount, shorting 10 taka, and threatened retaliation.
“On Sunday, Nazmul returned with mosque-goers and locals, suddenly accusing Poresh of religious slurs before attacking them,” Deepa claimed, adding that the mob later stormed their home.
The Shil family has fled their East Sapthana neighbourhood, their home now abandoned. Nearby Hindu households remain terrified of further violence.
Poresh’s brother Bipul questioned: “If my brother really insulted religion on Friday, why wait until Sunday to spread rumors? Even if guilty, why arrest Bishnu?” Neighbor Ranjit Kumar described Poresh as “non-confrontational,” emphasising the community’s shock.
Additional DIG Mohammad Sharif Uddin (Rangpur Range), Lalmonirhat SP Tariqul Islam, and local army commander Major Amir visited the family today. SP Islam assured: “Police are working to maintain religious harmony and ensure everyone’s safety.”