A Hindu sanitation worker was stabbed to death in Bangladesh’s northeastern city of Sylhet after he allegedly confronted a man for taking photographs of his wife without her consent, according to eyewitnesses and family members.
The victim, Hridoy Kumar Harijan, 35, belonged to Bangladesh’s Hindu religious minority and worked as a sanitation worker for the Sylhet City Corporation. He was the father of four children — two sons and two daughters.
The killing occurred around 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in the Kastaghar area near the city’s Sweeper Colony, leaving his family and members of the community grieving and demanding justice.
Confrontation Over Wife’s Photographs
According to eyewitnesses and relatives, the incident began when a local man identified as Amin allegedly pointed his mobile phone camera at Hridoy’s wife, Pinky Rani, and began taking photographs.
Hridoy approached Amin and protested, leading to a heated argument between the two men.
Witnesses said Amin then left the scene and made phone calls to several associates.
Shortly afterward, a group of young men allegedly returned with Amin, carrying sharp weapons.
The attackers assaulted Hridoy and stabbed him repeatedly before fleeing, according to witnesses and family members.
His family said he died at the scene from excessive bleeding.
Brother Demands Justice
Relatives rushed to the scene after learning of the attack and found Hridoy lying motionless.
His younger brother, Ajoy Kumar Harijan, broke down while describing the killing.
“Was my brother’s only crime protesting when someone took photographs of his wife? Amin and his associates stabbed my brother to death in public,” Ajoy alleged.
“What will my sister-in-law do now with four young children? We demand exemplary punishment for those responsible,” he said.
Hridoy was a permanent resident of the Kastaghar area, where he lived with his wife and children.
His killing has sparked grief and anger among residents of the Sweeper Colony, a community whose members have traditionally worked in sanitation services.
Police Launch Investigation
Police arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the attack and brought the situation under control.
Officers recovered Hridoy’s body and sent it to the morgue of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.
Khan Mohammad Moinul Zakir, officer-in-charge of Sylhet Kotwali Model Police Station, confirmed the killing.
He said the victim’s relatives alleged that the attack followed a dispute over the photographing of Hridoy’s wife.
Police launched an immediate operation to identify and arrest those involved, including the principal suspect, Amin, the officer said.
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