A garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was forcibly removed from a factory in Valuka, Mymensingh, brutally beaten to death in public, and subsequently set on fire—an incident that has sparked serious concern over mob violence, the misuse of religious allegations, and the continued vulnerability of minority workers in Bangladesh.
The victim, Dipu Chandra Das (27–28), was employed at Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Limited. The killing allegedly followed an accusation of religious defamation. The origin of the allegation, the role of factory authorities, the response of law enforcement agencies, and the credibility of the accusation itself are now under investigation.
Background of the Incident
Tensions reportedly began on the evening of Thursday, 18 December, inside the Pioneer Knitwears factory located in Dubaliapara area of Hobirbari Union, Valuka Upazila. According to a section of workers, an argument erupted during work hours, during which Dipu Chandra Das allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. However, no worker or authority has publicly presented a direct quotation or concrete evidence supporting this claim.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) later stated that the allegation of religious defamation was “highly unclear”, and investigators were unable to determine what exactly Dipu had said. According to investigators, a verbal dispute inside the factory escalated rapidly and eventually spread beyond the factory premises.
Handed Over to the Crowd
CCTV footage shows that around 8:30 pm, a large crowd gathered outside the factory and attempted to break through the main gate. According to eyewitnesses and local shopkeepers, the crowd was chanting various slogans, including “Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar.”
At one point, the pocket gate was forcibly broken, and Dipu Chandra Das was dragged out of the factory.
The factory’s Senior Human Resources Manager, Uday Hossain, stated that management attempted to calm the situation and informed the industrial police and local police station. He claimed there was no decision to hand Dipu over to the crowd and that management intended to escort him out safely once the situation normalized.
However, police and RAB accounts differ, stating that Dipu was not handed over to law enforcement and was instead exposed to an agitated crowd, a failure that ultimately pushed the situation out of control.
The Killing
After being taken out of the factory, Dipu Chandra Das was severely beaten. He was then taken to the median of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway near Square Masterbari Bus Stand, where he was stripped, tied to a tree, and beaten until death. Following his death, the attackers set his body on fire.
Eyewitnesses reported that slogans, including “Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar,” continued during the assault. Videos of the incident later circulated on social media, provoking nationwide outrage.
Following the killing, protesters blocked the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway for nearly two hours. Police eventually brought the situation under control and recovered the partially burned body, which was sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Victim’s Identity and Family Statements
Dipu Chandra Das was the son of Rabi Chandra Das, a resident of Mokamiakanda village in Banihala Union, Tarakanda Upazila. His family stated that he was the sole earning member of the household.
Dipu’s sister Champa Das and wife Meghna Rani firmly denied the allegation of religious defamation. According to the family, Dipu was educated, soft-spoken, and used a basic button phone, with no active social media presence. They alleged that internal factory disputes—related to production pressure, workplace disagreements, and promotion-related jealousy—may have led to a planned attempt to frame him.
The family further stated that a previous accusation against Dipu had been investigated and proven false.
Case Filing, Arrests, and Investigation
Following the incident, Dipu’s younger brother Apu Chandra Das filed a murder case at Valuka Model Police Station, naming 140–150 unidentified individuals as accused.
RAB and police conducted joint operations and arrested multiple individuals, including the factory’s floor in-charge, quality in-charge, and several workers. According to RAB, two factory officials were arrested for forcing Dipu to resign and failing to hand him over to police custody, thereby neglecting his safety.
Investigators stated that they are reviewing CCTV footage and viral videos to determine the sequence of events, identify all responsible parties, and establish individual roles in the killing.
Protests and Reactions at Home and Abroad
Reports indicate that protest programs have been held in several countries in response to this killing. Participants in these demonstrations have demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the incident, the prosecution of all those involved, and guarantees for the safety of minorities and workers.
The incident has also sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many netizens are questioning whether justice will actually be served in this case, or whether it will, like many past incidents of violence against minorities, ultimately remain unpunished.
Publication Date: 21 December, 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: banglatribune, somoynews, samakal, ajkerpatrika, bdnews24, dhakapost, prothomalo, thedailystar, bbc, prothomalo
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