Bangladesh Ansar member shot dead by colleague, accused arrested: Another communal murder?

A 40-year-old Hindu man was killed on Monday evening after being shot by a colleague inside a garment factory in Bangladesh, in what police said appeared to be an accidental firing. The incident occurred at Sultana Sweaters Limited in the Mehrabari area of Bhaluka upazila in Mymensingh.

The victim, Bajendra Biswas, was an Ansar member deployed for factory security. He was the son of Pobitra Biswas and a resident of Kadirpur village in Sylhet Sadar. Police said the alleged shooter, Noman Mia, 22, also an Ansar member, has been arrested. Noman is the son of Lutfur Rahman and hails from Baluturi Bazar in the Taherpur area of Sunamganj.

Ansar refers to the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP), a uniformed auxiliary force whose personnel are commonly deployed for security duties at factories, banks, elections and government installations, and may be armed in sensitive locations.

According to eyewitnesses, around 20 Ansar personnel were on duty at the factory at the time. Bajendra Biswas and Noman Mia were reportedly sitting together inside the premises when a shotgun in Noman’s possession accidentally discharged. The bullet struck Biswas in the left thigh, causing severe injuries and heavy bleeding.

Factory staff rushed Bajendra Biswas to the Bhaluka Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him brought dead. Bhaluka Model Police Station officer-in-charge Zahidul Islam confirmed the incident, saying police reached the spot immediately and arrested the accused. The body has been sent to the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

Police said legal action has been initiated and an investigation is under way to determine whether the shooting was accidental or if other factors were involved. Authorities said the matter is being treated with seriousness and have appealed to witnesses to cooperate with the investigation.

This is a developing story.