Staff Reporter:
Six policemen, including a sub-inspector, sustained injuries when trying to protect and detain a young murder accused at Bagmara upazila, Rajshahi on Friday evening.
The accused named Aminul Islam, 22, was ultimately beaten to death by furious villagers. Locals claimed he was a thug, a drug addict, and recently implicated in a police general diary (GD) for beating a woman.
Aminul had amicable ties with his victim the fish trader Abdur Razzak, 35. Both hailed from Goyalbari village, Atrai upazila, Naogaon.
Bagmara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Islam told reporters officers later sought army assistance to contain tensions.
On Friday afternoon, Razzak was drinking tea at a shop at the Ranshibari market in Bagmara, near Atrai. According to eyewitnesses and police, Aminul suddenly arrived at the shop and attempted to snatch the business proceeds from Razzak at knifepoint. At one point, Aminul stabbed the businessman, leading to his death. Confirming the death, Aminul quickly fled the spot.
However, some locals pursued Aminul, and chased him to a nearby village. Desperate Aminul locked himself inside a house in the village, only to be besieged by his angry pursuers.
Upon hearing the news, local police rushed to the spot to pacify the agitators but to no avail. In the evening, the mob, comprising around 1,500 men, broke down the door of their targeted house. Police intervened, but came under attack.
Soon, the mob dragged out Aminul from the house, beat him up and eventually crushed his head with bricks.
