Amid the escalating ‘anti-Hindu’ violence in Bangladesh, a devastating incident occurred in Jessore, where Islamic extremists set a hotel, Zabeer on fire, resulting in the deaths of 25 individuals. The hotel, a five-star establishment, was owned by Shaheen Chakladar, a leader of the Awami League party who had recently resigned and moved to India alongside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
#Bangladesh | 25 people killed and more than 150 hospitalised after Zabeer hotel located in Southwestern was set on fire by Islamists
Islamists were reportedly looking for Shahin Chakladar, an MP of the Awami League pic.twitter.com/JKMlEqMqKa
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) August 6, 2024
According to Bangladeshi media reports, the incident took place on Monday, August 5, 2024. Around 4 PM, an Islamist mob stormed Zabeer Hotel, located in Jessore, and unleashed chaos. They looted the lower sections of the hotel before pouring petrol and setting it ablaze. The hotel was crowded at the time, and hence the fire and suffocation led to the tragic deaths of 24 people.
Among the victims were looters who had entered the hotel during the riot but found themselves trapped and subsequently perished in the flames. The deceased also included an Indonesian national. Over 150 people sustained injuries in the incident and are currently undergoing treatment.
Rescue teams arrived on the scene and managed to save only 25–30 individuals. Videos of the burning hotel have since gone viral on social media, depicting flames engulfing the entire building and thick smoke billowing into the sky. The Awami League office in the vicinity was also set on fire during the unrest.
One Indian citizen narrowly escaped the hotel fire. Shahid, a resident of Assam, and his brother Faizan were staying at Zabeer Hotel. The hotel manager had advised them to stay inside due to the violent situation outside. Faizan had left to buy tickets for their return to India when the incident unfolded.
In an interview with the Times of India, Shahid recounted the harrowing experience. He heard a commotion and saw the hotel engulfed in flames. Trapped on the third floor with no escape route due to the fire below, Shahid made the desperate decision to jump from the height, resulting in broken legs. He was initially hospitalised in Bangladesh but later took an ambulance to India for further treatment. Shahid is currently being treated in Kolkata and expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal.
The ongoing violence in Bangladesh stems from protests demanding the end of reservations, which began in July. Islamic extremists hijacked these protests, leading to widespread violence that has only intensified in August. The situation forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country. On Monday, August 5, 2024, she left Dhaka for India and is currently residing there.
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