By Staff Correspondent
Narail Sadar, Bangladesh | Special Report | 17/05/2026
A 21-year-old college student was seriously injured after being stabbed during a Hindu religious festival in Bangladesh’s Narail district, triggering fear and anger among local Hindu residents.
The attack took place late Sunday night, 17 May, at the Pankabila Sarbojonin Puja Mandap in Narail Sadar, where a three-day Naamjagya religious and fair had been underway.
The victim, identified as Purba Som, is a second-year Zoology student at Narail Government Victoria College. She is the daughter of Paritosh Som from the nearby Bhowakhali area.
According to family members and local sources, Purba attended the religious gathering with relatives earlier in the evening. Around 11:45 PM, shortly before returning home, she reportedly stopped near a small betel leaf stall inside the fairground.
It was then, witnesses say, that an unidentified attacker used the crowd as cover and stabbed her from behind with a sharp weapon before fleeing the scene.
Rushed to Hospital in Critical Condition
Relatives and local residents quickly rescued the injured student and rushed her to Narail District Hospital in a bloodied condition.
Doctors on duty said the knife wound near the lower back caused significant bleeding. Emergency treatment was administered immediately, and hospital officials later confirmed that she was now out of immediate danger.
However, the incident has left the local community shaken.
Fear and Anger Among Local Residents
The stabbing inside a religious gathering has sparked widespread concern among local Hindu families and residents of the area.
Community members questioned how such an attack could occur during what was meant to be a peaceful spiritual festival attended by families, women, and children.
Speaking to local media, Purba’s father, Paritosh Som, expressed deep frustration and fear.
“We had gone to the religious festival together as a family. Suddenly my daughter was stabbed from behind,” he said. “Such a horrifying incident at a sacred and festive event is completely unacceptable.”
Family Says Earlier Attack Remains Unresolved
The family also revealed that this was not the first violent incident targeting them.
According to Paritosh Som, only around three months ago he himself was attacked and seriously injured by unidentified assailants while returning home from his shop at night.
He alleged that despite the earlier assault, fear and insecurity continued to surround the family.
Now, after the latest attack on his daughter, residents in the neighborhood say anxiety has intensified.
“We are living in fear,” a local resident said. “People are afraid about what may happen next.”
Motive Still Unclear
As of now, police have not publicly confirmed the motive behind the stabbing or identified any suspects.
Investigators are reportedly examining:
- whether the attack was pre-planned,
- if there were any personal disputes,
- and whether the incident had any connection to previous threats faced by the family.
Authorities have increased monitoring in the area following the attack, while local residents continue demanding a full investigation and swift arrest of those responsible.
Growing Concern Over Security
The incident has renewed debate about security arrangements during religious gatherings and the safety of minority communities in parts of Bangladesh.
Rights advocates and community representatives say violent incidents — especially during religious events — create long-term fear among local populations and risk deepening communal tensions.
For now, residents of Narail remain on edge as the investigation continues into the late-night stabbing that turned a religious celebration into a scene of panic and bloodshed.
