Bangladesh measles outbreak: Death toll crosses 600 as 7 children die in 24 hours
After the latest fatalities, the cumulative number of suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths in the South Asian country has reached 601 since March 15.
The killing of a 27-year-old Hindu factory worker in central Bangladesh has triggered arrests and fresh political scrutiny, with the interim government confirming action by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
In a post on X, Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, said RAB had arrested seven suspects in connection with the death of Dipu Chandra Das in Valuka, Mymensingh.
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“In the incident of beating to death Sanatan Dharma adherent youth Dipu Chandra Das (27) in Valuka, Mymensingh, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven individuals as suspects,” Yunus wrote, adding that RAB-14 conducted operations at multiple locations to make the arrests.
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According to the post, those arrested are Md Limon Sarkar (19), Md Tarek Hossain, Md Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain (38), and Md Miraj Hossain Akon (46).
Also Read: Mob violence in Bangladesh: Hindu worker killed, body set on fire amid blasphemy allegations
Taslima Nasreen alleges mob violence after false blasphemy claim
Writer and activist Taslima Nasreen offered a sharply critical account of the incident in a separate post on X, describing Dipu as a poor labourer working at a factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh.
According to Nasreen, a co-worker allegedly accused Dipu of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet over a trivial workplace dispute, triggering a mob attack. She claimed that Dipu was later taken into police custody, told police he was innocent, and alleged a conspiracy by the co-worker. Nasreen further questioned how Dipu was allegedly returned to the attackers after being in police protection, alleging that he was subsequently beaten, hanged and burned.
In her post, Nasreen also drew attention to the human cost left behind as Dipu was the sole earning member of his family, supporting his disabled parents, wife and child.
The incident has reopened old, uncomfortable questions about mob fury, the misuse of blasphemy claims, and how safe religious minorities really are in Bangladesh, questions that still have no clear answers.
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