Protest in Cox's Bazar over Nayan Sadhu murder, demands immediate arrest

A protest rally, human chain, and procession were held in Cox's Bazar on Saturday afternoon demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the brutal killing of Nayan Sadhu, a caretaker of the Shib Kali Temple in Khurushkul, police station area of the Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila.

The programmes were organised by the Sadar Upazila Puja Udjapon Parishad in front of the Cox's Bazar municipal building.

Nayan Das, 35, also known as Nayan Sadhu, went missing on April 19. His body was recovered three days later from a remote hilly area in Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila . Family members have alleged foul play, claiming he was called out of his home by two unidentified persons on the night of April 19 and never returned . Police have sent the body for autopsy and launched an investigation .

However, the exact cause of death remains unclear, with authorities yet to determine whether it was a case of suicide or murder . A fact-check investigation by BanglaFact found that neither the family of the deceased and police, nor local Hindu organisations have confirmed any communal motive following the death of Nayan Das .

Speakers at the protest rally demanded swift justice and stronger legal safeguards for minority communities . Addressing the rally were Advocate Bappi Sharma, president of Sadar Upazila Puja Udjapon Parishad; Uday Shankar Pal Mithu, president of Cox's Bazar district Puja Udjapon Parishad; Swapon Pal Nazir, vice-president of the district parishad; former councillor Raj Bihari Dash of Cox's Bazar municipality; and Dipak Sharma Dipu, president of district Janmashtami Udjapon Parishad, among others.

Hundreds of Hindu men and women participated in the protest rally, human chain, and procession.