Staff Reporter:
An autorickshaw driver in Shariatpur’s Zajira upazila was brutally attacked on Saturday, leaving both his eyes gouged out and his limbs fractured, allegedly by a local named Suman Sikdar.
The attack, which took place at Mohar Ali Sikdarkandi village under the upazila, sparked outrage as angry locals set fire to the accused’s house.
Padma Bridge South Police Station OC Parvez Ahmed Selim confirmed the incident.
The victim, Ramzan Mollah, 38, of Dakshin Baiksa under Zajira municipality, was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition.
According to police and locals, Ramzan was intercepted by Suman and his men while returning from Atroshi Darbar. They dragged him behind Suman’s house before carrying out the attack. Locals caught one assailant, Shahjahan, and handed him over to police.
Following the incident, the enraged villagers torched Suman’s house, destroying three rooms and two shops before firefighters and army personnel brought the blaze under control around 3:00 pm.
Local Kamrul Hasan alleged that Suman had long been involved in drugs and smuggling. “No one dared speak against him. But gouging out a poor rickshaw driver’s eyes and breaking his limbs is beyond inhuman. That’s why people set his house ablaze,” he said.
The victim’s sister-in-law, Shiuli Begum, demanded justice, saying, “Ramzan supported his family by driving an autorickshaw. Now how will they survive after this brutality?”
Physician Tanvir Ahmed of Zajira Upazila Health Complex said, “Ramzan was brought in around 1:20 pm with severe injuries to both eyes caused by sharp weapons, along with fractures in his arms and right leg. He was referred to Dhaka for better treatment.”
Zajira Fire Service Station Officer Jafar Sheikh said locals initially obstructed their efforts to douse the fire, but with army assistance, the blaze was contained.
OC Parvez Ahmed Selim said, “Suman Sikdar is accused in at least 20 cases, including drug-related charges. We have received allegations that he led the attack on Ramzan. The public set fire to his house and handed over one of his associates. Necessary legal action will be taken after investigation.”
