Swapan Kumar Singh :

Mymensingh — A 27-year-old garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally beaten to death in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh following an unverified allegation of religious insult, raising serious questions about how rumours continue to spiral into deadly mob violence.

Several days after the incident, authorities have yet to find any credible evidence to substantiate the allegation. Law enforcement officials say no audio, video or written proof has been recovered so far.

In a statement issued on Saturday (December 20), the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-14) arrested seven suspects in connection with the killing during raids conducted in different locations.

The arrested individuals are Md Limon Sarkar, Md Tareq Hossain, Md Manik Mia, Ershad Ali, Nijum Uddin, Alamgir Hossain and Md Miraj Hossain Akon.

Dipu was a resident of Mokamiakanda village in Tarakanda upazila and worked at Pioneer Knitwears, a garment factory in Bhaluka. He is survived by his wife and a three-year-old daughter.

According to police and local sources, the incident took place around 8:00pm on Thursday when rumours spread inside the factory accusing Dipu of making derogatory remarks about religion. Without verifying the claim, a group of workers allegedly began assaulting him.

Abdullah Al Mamun, Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) of Mymensingh, told the media that Dipu was later taken outside the factory premises. There, local people reportedly joined the attack, turning the situation violent. Dipu died on the spot due to severe beating.

Following the killing, the attackers set fire to the body, leaving it partially burnt. Police later recovered the body and sent it to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.

The body was handed over to the family and reached his village home on Friday afternoon, said Tanbir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Tarakanda Police Station.

Addressing the allegation, ASP Abdullah Al Mamun said,

“Although claims of religious insult have been made, we have so far found no audio, video or documentary evidence to verify the accusation.”

In connection with the incident, Dipu’s brother Apu Chandra Das filed a murder case with Bhaluka Police Station, naming 140 to 150 unidentified individuals as accused. Law enforcement agencies have since intensified their investigation and are working to identify and arrest others involved, using video footage and other evidence.

Analysts say the killing reflects a grave social failure driven by rumour, collective anger and institutional lapses. The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands and the devastating consequences of unverified accusations.