Unidentified assailants have attacked two Bangladeshi expatriates in New York City in a span of 24 hours.
One of the victims, 72-year-old Bangladesh freedom fighter Mohammad Shah Alam, is in intensive care at Elmhurst Hospital.
The other victim has been identified as Khabir Uddin Bhuiyan, 58. He received medical care and is currently resting at home, reports bdnews24.com.
The two were attacked after dark on Sept 27 and Sept 28 in Queens’s Jamaica and Castle Hill in the Bronx, according to local members of the Bangladeshi community.
The attackers stole Shah Alam’s mobile phone, but nothing was taken from Khabiruddin.
Cases have been filed over both attacks. But police have been unable to make any arrest as of Friday evening.
Bangladeshi expatriate leaders have advised those walking in isolated areas after dark to stay alert.
Shah Alam, who fought in the Liberation War at Kushtia’s Daulatpur, immigrated to the US five years ago with his wife and 13-year-old daughter. Alam’s wife is currently in need of medical care due to a brain tumour, which was detected several years ago.
According to locals, Alam was attacked by a group of men as he was making his way home from Jamaica’s Hillside Avenue around 8:30pm on Thursday. He was struck with heavy blows to the shoulder and the head.
Police recovered Alam and admitted him to Queens Hospital. He was transferred to Elmhurst after he failed to regain consciousness overnight.
Alam has undergone surgery and doctors will have more information in the coming days, his family said.
Police suspect the incident was a mugging, but local Bangladeshis believe the incident may have been motivated by racial or religious antipathy.
Md Khabir Uddin was attacked at the intersection of Castle Hill and Sterling Avenueon Wednesday evening on his way home from a store. A group of 4-5 youths attacked and began beating him.
A Bangalee taxi driver heard the screams, called the police, and ran to help, causing the attackers to disperse.
Khabir Uddin hails from Comilla.
“Racially and religiously motivated crimes, alongside muggings, have increased at an alarming rate,” said local Bangladesh community leader Mohammad N Majumdar. “It has become necessary for everyone to take particular caution when travelling alone.”
