28 September, 2026 – Rajbari, Bangladesh: A Hindu expatriate’s home in the Rishipara area of Maurat village, Maurat Union, in Pangsha Upazila, Rajbari, was allegedly attacked and vandalized late at night, with the attackers reportedly demanding extortion and exploding bombs.
According to local sources, a group of unidentified individuals allegedly attacked the home of Sushil Rishi, an elderly and vulnerable Hindu resident, at around 12:30am on Monday night. The attackers allegedly threatened women and children inside the house and took cash, gold jewellery and expensive foreign-made lights.
The explosions and extensive vandalism reportedly caused panic among Hindu families living in the Rishipara area.
Sushil Rishi alleged that the same group had attacked his house about 15 days earlier and demanded Tk 200,000 in extortion. He claimed that after he refused to pay the money, the attackers became hostile and carried out the latest attack and alleged looting.
Sushil further alleged that he has been involved in a long-standing land and social dispute with a person named Khiroda, who lives in the same village. He claimed that the repeated attacks on his home were being carried out at Khiroda’s instigation. These allegations have not yet been independently verified.
Arpana Rishi, the daughter of Sushil Rishi, said with emotion that the alleged attackers had contacted her two brothers, who live abroad, and demanded Tk 500,000. She alleged that they openly threatened to kill their elderly father if the money was not paid within the specified time.
After receiving information about the incident, police from Pangsha Model Police Station visited the scene that night.
However, Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Moinul Islam said that police had visited the location but that their preliminary assessment did not indicate that a robbery had taken place. He said police were treating the matter as a land-related dispute and advised the victim’s family to submit a written complaint.
Local Hindu community leaders reportedly expressed anger and disappointment over what they described as a lenient response by police. The alleged repeated attacks on marginalized and minority families have reportedly raised concern in the area.
Human rights activists and local residents have called for an impartial investigation, identification of those responsible, and appropriate legal action if the allegations are substantiated.
