Youth beaten to death over ‘suspected robbery’

In Araihazar, Narayanganj, a 32-year-old man was beaten to death by villagers after being suspected of robbery, marking the latest in a series of violent incidents in the area.

Police said the victim, Nabi Hossain, son of Loikka Hossain from West Agukandi village in the neighboring Uchitpura Union, had no prior criminal record.

The incident occurred early Wednesday morning in Dari Bishnandi village of Bishnandi Union, according to Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Tarek Al Mehedi.

Police said that around 2:30 am, a robbery attempt took place at a local home, during which at least four people were injured.

The victims included 40-year-old Kulsum Begum, her 18-year-old son Naeem Mia, and their relatives Faruk Mia (45) and Abul Hossain (28). Kulsum is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Local reports stated that villagers were alerted to the attempted robbery through announcements made via the local mosque’s loudspeakers. A group of villagers then chased the suspected robbers and caught Nabi Hossain, beating him to death on the spot.

Inspector Md. Saifuddin of Araihazar Police added that during the early morning rain, Kulsum Begum had gone to the kitchen to protect a clay stove from water when she saw three to four individuals and shouted “Robbers! Robbers!” The attackers then assaulted those who came out of the house. Later, after the mosque announcement at 3:00 am, villagers searched the area, found Nabi in a nearby ditch, and fatally beat him. Police recovered his body from the location.

The deceased will be sent to Narayanganj General Hospital for post-mortem, and legal action will follow, the police said.

This is the third such incident in the past month in Araihazar, where individuals have been beaten to death by villagers under suspicion of criminal activity.

Earlier incidents include the killing of Ward No. 3 member Md. Sohel in Brahmandi Union, allegedly over extortion accusations, and Aynal Hossain in Prabhakardi village, who had eight pending cases, including robbery and rape.

Police noted that Sohel had faced at least 15 cases, including robbery and extortion, and had been previously arrested by RAB-11 in June before being released on bail.