A Hindu businessman was brutally attacked late at night in Bhandaria upazila of Pirojpur district, leaving him critically injured. The victim is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Barishal.
The injured shopkeeper has been identified as Swapan Kumar B0l (also known as Kalu B0l), a resident of Ward No. 2 of Nandamula Shialkathi Union in Bhandaria upazila. He has been running his own grocery shop for many years beside the highway near South Shialkathi Government Primary School.
According to local sources, on Sunday night (21 December), Swapan Kumar was staying overnight in his shop as usual. At deep night, unknown assailants entered the shop, brutally beat him, and struck him on the head with sharp weapons, causing severe injuries. The attackers then fled the scene, leaving him lying in a pool of blood.
On Monday morning, a customer came to the shop and called out several times but received no response. He then informed nearby residents. Relatives and neighbors later entered the shop and found Swapan Kumar unconscious and seriously injured. He was immediately rescued and taken to the Bhandaria Upazila Health Complex. As his condition worsened, he was referred to a private hospital in Barishal for advanced treatment.
The victim’s relative, Alo Rani B0l, said, “A customer informed us after getting no response from the shop. When we looked inside through the shutter, we saw Swapan lying there covered in blood. When we screamed, people from the neighborhood rushed in.”
Neighbor Ashutosh B0l said, “After hearing the cries, I went to the shop and saw him lying helpless on the bed. He had severe injuries to his head and face, and his entire body was soaked in blood. When we tried to lift him, he collapsed.”
Swapan’s cousin Bijoy B0l stated, “The day before the attack, he had returned after selling betel nuts at the local market. We suspect that the attackers carried out this brutal assault with the intention of robbing the money he had with him.”
The incident has sparked fear and anger among local residents, who are demanding the immediate identification and arrest of those responsible.
Officer-in-Charge of Bhandaria Police Station, Dewan Jaglul Hasan, said, “Police visited the scene after receiving the information. So far, no written complaint has been filed by the family. Legal action will be taken once a complaint is received, and an investigation is underway to identify the attackers.”