A grocery shop owner was brutally murdered in Narsingdi’s Palash upazila late Monday night, heightening public concern over a series of violent attacks reported across the country in recent weeks.

The victim was identified as Sharot Chakraborty alias Moni, 40, a resident of Madan Thakur village in Shibpur upazila. He had been running a grocery shop at Charsindur Bazar for several years.

According to police, the incident occurred around 11:00 PM on January 5 while Moni was returning home after closing his shop. A group of unidentified assailants attacked him with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured. Locals rushed him to Palash Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Shahed Al Mamun, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Palash Police Station, told the media that the motive behind the killing is yet to be determined. “We visited the scene and launched an investigation. Efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved,” he said. The body has been sent to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The killing comes amid heightened tension following recent deadly attacks on members of the Hindu community. On December 18, garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka over alleged blasphemy, and his body was subsequently set on fire. Less than two weeks later, businessman Khokon Chandra Das was stabbed and set ablaze in Shariatpur’s Damudya upazila, later succumbing to his injuries.

Moni Chakraborty’s murder has intensified fears regarding public safety and targeted violence, prompting renewed calls for swift justice and stronger law enforcement action.