CNG driver hacked by robbers after running over member during robbery in Gazipur

A CNG auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death by robbers after he ran over one of them while trying to escape a robbery in Gazipur's Sreepur upazila early Friday (20 June).

The incident occurred around 1:30am in the Gajari forest area on the Maona–Bormi regional road, where a gang of robbers had felled trees to block vehicles and loot passengers.

Police identified the deceased driver as Abul Kalam, 40. The injured robber, Md Ariful Islam, 20, also died later from his injuries.

Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Abdul Barek said four members of the robbery gang—Shakil, Ripon Miah, Tahsim Miah, and Arif Hossain—were arrested from the scene.

According to police and witnesses, Kalam was driving his CNG auto-rickshaw towards Bormi when he encountered the roadblock. As he attempted to flee the scene, his vehicle struck Ariful, a member of the gang. The other robbers then stopped the vehicle and beat Kalam severely.

Roni, the victim's son, said his father was first taken to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex and then to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

"He was being transferred to Dhaka on doctors' advice, but he died on the way," he said.

Pickup driver Shofiqul Islam, another victim of the robbery, said the group of 6–7 had taken mobile phones and money from multiple vehicles.

"At one point, a fast-moving CNG hit one of the robbers. The group then attacked the driver of that CNG. As the victims began shouting, locals rushed in and captured several of the robbers," he said.

Dr Sharmin Akter of Sreepur Upazila Health Complex said, "One of the injured was brought in with severe head injuries and died from excessive bleeding."

OC Barek added that an investigation is ongoing and legal action is being taken. The bodies of the deceased were sent to the morgue for post-mortem examination.