Bangladesh is witnessing a fresh wave of unrest after a Hindu man was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari district, even as political tensions intensified with the return of a key opposition leader to Dhaka.
The victim, Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was attacked by a group of people following allegations of extortion. Police reached the scene after receiving information and found him critically injured. He was rushed to a local health facility, where doctors declared him dead.
Authorities said Mondal had multiple criminal cases registered against him, including a serious offence, and was allegedly involved in running an extortion network. During the police response, one of his associates was arrested and firearms were recovered. Despite these claims, the killing has sparked concern, particularly within minority communities, as it marks another instance of mob violence amid growing instability.
The incident comes at a volatile time for Bangladesh, which has been on edge since the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi earlier this month. His death, following an assassination attempt in Dhaka, triggered widespread protests and clashes across the country.
Tensions escalated further after a crude bomb was thrown from a flyover in Dhaka&rsquo;s Moghbazar area, killing a person on the spot. The attack added to fears over public safety in the capital, where protests and counter-protests have continued over the past week.
Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, returned to Dhaka after spending 17 years in exile in London. He was welcomed by large crowds and is expected to address a major rally, a move seen as politically significant ahead of the national elections scheduled for February 2026.
Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is considered a strong contender in the upcoming polls. His return has energised supporters but has also coincided with a spike in political activity and unrest on the streets.
Activist groups that played a prominent role in the 2024 uprising have continued demonstrations, demanding justice for Hadi&rsquo;s killing and warning the government of further protests if those responsible are not punished before the elections.
With mob violence, bomb attacks and mass political mobilisation unfolding simultaneously, the situation in Bangladesh remains tense, raising concerns about law and order as the country moves closer to a crucial electoral period.

Mob killing, bomb attack deepen Bangladesh unrest

Hindu man lynched in Rajbari as political tensions rise and violence grips Bangladesh

Mob killing, bomb attack deepen Bangladesh unrest

Hindu man lynched in Rajbari as political tensions rise and violence grips Bangladesh

December 26, 2025 | 01:35 IST