Dhaka, Nov. 22 -- On most Fridays, Nusrat Begum tried to finish the household chores early. Her son, Rafiul Islam Rafi, a calm, soft-spoken student of Sir Salimullah Medical College in Dhaka, often joined her if he didn't have class. This Friday felt no different. They stepped out together around mid-morning, heading toward Noyon's meat shop in Kashaituli, where fresh buffalo meat had just arrived.

It was supposed to be a simple errand - a walk, a bit of bargaining, and then lunch at home.At 10:38 am, mother and son were standing quietly in front of the shop, waiting their turn. Around them, dozens of people crowded under the shade of the building, chatting, some choosing cuts of meat while others waited with empty shopping bags. Nothing...