Tarakanda village in Mymensingh remains in deep mourning after garment factory worker Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten to death by colleagues in Bhaluka and his body later set on fire.
Dipu’s mother, Shefali Robi Das, is stunned by the sudden loss, while his wife, Meghna Robi Das, remains speechless. Their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Ritika Robi Das, searches for her father with innocent eyes, unaware that he will never return.
Dipu’s home, located 25 kilometers from Mymensingh Sadar, is a modest house amidst several bighas of farmland, housing seven family members. On Thursday, Dhaka Tribune saw Shefali sun-drying household items while Dipu’s father lay on a mat in the yard. She said: “My son has been killed unjustly. Dipu was my educated eldest son. God will punish those who killed him. There is no one left to run the household. How will we survive?”
Shefali recalled the last conversation with her son: “The night before he died, he asked if there was any food at home. I told him rice and oil needed to be brought. There was no further conversation with his father.” She added that Dipu enjoyed mutton and duck and could not understand how anyone could treat a person this way.
Standing in a corner with her child, Meghna broke down when asked about her husband. She said: “Dipu had no disputes with anyone. He was not a troublemaker. Who will take care of my child? I want justice for my husband’s murder.”
Dipu’s father-in-law, Baburam Das, a village policeman, told Dhaka Tribune that Dipu, a graduate, had recently been promoted from supervisor to manager. Colleagues Md Ershad and Nibir Islam Anik reportedly opposed the promotion, claiming that as a Hindu from a lower caste, Dipu should not be addressed as “Sir.” Baburam said a verbal altercation occurred between Dipu, Ershad, and Anik. Ershad, leading Anik and others, allegedly took Dipu outside, beat him, and, realizing he had died, hung him on a tree and set the body on fire. False rumors were later spread claiming Dipu had made derogatory remarks about the Prophet (PBUH) and religion.
Through tears, Baburam said: “At a young age, happiness has been wiped away from my daughter. She is now a widow with a small child.” Dipu’s father, Robi Lal Robi Das, also expressed grief: “May God punish those who killed my son.”
Villagers said Dipu spent his childhood and adolescence in Tarakanda, completing his SSC from Taldighi High School, HSC from Bangabandhu College, and later a BA. “Dipu was calm and gentle. The villagers demand justice for this murder,” said Tapasi Bhaumik. Another villager, Shariful Islam, added: “Dipu used to tutor my son. He never had any conflicts with anyone.”
Tarakanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Aminul Islam told Dhaka Tribune that the deputy commissioner provided Dipu’s family a government cheque of Tk25,000 and five food packets. Arrangements are underway to build a house with a toilet and kitchen for Dipu’s wife, as well as issue a widow card. Dipu’s father will receive a disability card, and efforts are being made to provide a government job to Dipu’s wife.
Factory worker Akkas said that on the day of the incident, Dipu had a verbal dispute with Ershad and Anik over religion, after which he was beaten and handed over to outsiders. A tea shop owner near the factory confirmed that a group of workers took Dipu to the main road while beating him and said he had always been a good person.
Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration) Abdullah Al Mamun said that based on video footage and photos, 20 people have been arrested in connection with the case. All are factory workers, with several directly involved in the attack. Five have given confessional statements.
It is not yet clear whether the main accused, Ershad and Anik, are among those arrested.
On the night of December 18, Dipu was beaten at Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Ltd in Jamirdia Dubaliyapara over alleged derogatory remarks about religion. After beating him to death, protesters set his body on fire in front of the factory. Police and army personnel later recovered the body.
Dipu was the son of Robi Chandra Das from Mokamiakanda village, Banihala Union, Tarakanda Upazila. His brother has filed a murder case against 150 unknown individuals.
