Two Beaten to Death in Rangpur After Half-Kilometre Chase Over Autorickshaw Theft Allegation
Two men have died in a mob beating in Rangpur's Gangachara upazila over an allegation of autorickshaw theft. The incident took place early on Sunday beside a large irrigation canal at Giriarpara in Uttar Panapukur of the upazila.
The two dead are Ejarul alias Kana Rezaul (50) of Bagdahara in Nohali Union of Gangachara, and Sadikul Islam (25) of Kolkondo Union.
Police and local people said household members raised a cry when a battery-run autorickshaw was being stolen early on Sunday from the house of Siddikur Rahman in Bagpur Dakshinpara of Gangachara.
The Fajr call to prayer was then going on at the mosque. Later the theft was also announced over the mosque loudspeaker. Local people gathered and chased the accused.
At around 4:45 am, local people caught the two about half a kilometre from the house and beat them. Both died on the spot.
Witnesses said the bloodied bodies of the two lay beside the irrigation canal in the morning. A crowd of people gathered around the bodies. The scene created a stir in the area.
Autorickshaw owner Siddikur Rahman said he kept the autorickshaw in a small room of his house. Early on Sunday he noticed the theft as the lock of that room was broken and the autorickshaw was being taken away.
He added that he chased the two while shouting. People gathered and beat the two after catching them about half a kilometre from the house. His account gives a sequential picture of the dawn chase and beating.
Gangachara Model Police Station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdus Sabur confirmed that two men were beaten to death over a theft allegation.
He said that after the inquest reports, the two bodies were sent at around 12:45 pm to the morgue of Rangpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy. There are injury marks at different places on both bodies. A case in this connection is under process, he said.
As the case is under process, the details of the incident and the next steps regarding those involved will now be determined through police investigation. The bodies of the two dead will be handed over according to legal process after autopsy, related sources said.
