Hindu schoolteacher’s house set ablaze in Sylhet

Since the lynching of garment factory worker Dipu Chandra Das on Dec 18, eight from the minority Hindu community have died in incidents of atrocities, while properties – including houses and land – attacked, grabbed or set on fire. Rights groups have reported at least 51 incidents of violence against Hindus.Bahor villagers said members of the Dey family, including the elderly, were inside the house when it was set on fire. They escaped with the help of locals, villagers said, adding that Birendra was a popular teacher and people lovingly called him ‘Jhunu Sir’.Meanwhile in the UK parliament, lawmaker Bob Blackman Thursday raised concerns over escalating violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. Calling the situation “disastrous”, he said minorities are being murdered, their houses and temples set ablaze. He also said the polls in Bangladesh are being held amid grave democratic concerns.