In Gangachara, Rangpur, two individuals were beaten to death by a mob after they attempted to flee with a stolen auto-rickshaw. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM on Sunday (October 25) near the Pukurkhuri canal in Bagpur Dakshin Para, located in the upazila’s Barabil Union.
The deceased have been identified as 42-year-old Rezaul, alias 'Kana'—son of the late Endaz Ali (also known as 'Bhoda Chor') from the Bagdahara area of Nohali Union—and 26-year-old Sadikul Islam, son of Ayub Ali from the Ghontari area of Kolkond Union. Rezaul was a known thief in the locality, with nine criminal cases pending against him, according to the local police. While Sadikul Islam did not face any serious criminal charges, he had a history of drug addiction and allegations of petty theft.
The owner of the auto-rickshaw, Siddiqur Rahman Sohel—a resident of Bagpur Dakshin Para in Barabil Union and a former Union Parishad (UP) member—realized his vehicle was being stolen and began shouting while pursuing it. Worshippers, who were engaged in prayer at the time, became aware of the situation and used the mosque’s public address system to alert the community to apprehend the thieves.
When Sohel attempted to intercept the auto-rickshaw, one of the thieves struck him with a pair of pliers, causing him to fall onto the road and sustain injuries. Two other individuals, Kachhim Uddin and Nasir Uddin, were also injured while attempting to apprehend the thieves and recover the stolen vehicle. Sohel is currently receiving treatment at the Gangachara Upazila Health Complex.
Khadija Begum, the wife of Nasir Uddin—who was injured while trying to catch the thieves—recounted the event: "My husband had gone out to move our cattle from the shed to the courtyard when he saw two men fleeing with the auto-rickshaw. When he tried to stop them, he was struck on the forehead, resulting in a deep gash." Locals Enamul Haque and Jahangir Alam stated that while fleeing with a stolen auto-rickshaw—during which they injured three people—the two individuals were cornered by local residents. Left with no other options, they abandoned the vehicle on the road and attempted to escape via a nearby canal. However, the crowd caught up with them and subjected them to a mob beating, which resulted in their deaths at the scene.
Sharmin, the wife of one of the deceased, Sadikul, said that her husband had left home last night, claiming he was going to Dhaka. "This morning, I learned that he had been killed in a mob beating while attempting a theft," she said, weeping. "Theft is a crime, but killing a person is an even greater crime. I demand justice for this killing, and I seek security for the future of my two children."
Upon receiving news of the incident, police from the Gangachara Model Police Station arrived at the scene, conducted an initial examination of the bodies, and transported them to the police station.
Abdus Sabur, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Gangachara Model Police Station, confirmed that the police reached the location immediately after being notified. Following the preliminary examination, the bodies were brought to the station.
Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman, Additional Superintendent of Police (A-Circle, Rangpur), stated, "I have inspected the scene. One of the deceased, Rezaul, has multiple cases filed against him and several outstanding arrest warrants; both individuals have a history of involvement in thefts. A murder case will be registered, and a thorough investigation will be conducted."
According to locals, eight incidents of theft have occurred in the area this month alone. They attribute the rise in thefts and muggings to a severe deterioration in the law-and-order situation. Meanwhile, concerned residents emphasize that while theft is a crime, killing someone unlawfully is an even more serious offense. They have called for an improvement in the law-and-order situation and an end to the ongoing thefts and muggings.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Mahfuzar Rahman, Gangachara (Rangpur) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
