UP member beaten to death in Narayanganj over alleged extortion bid

Angry locals in Narayanganj's Araihazar upazila beat a union parishad (UP) member to death today (29 September) following allegations of extortion.

The deceased was Sohel Ahmed alias "Fency Sohel" and "Sohel Member," 38, member of Ward 3 in Brahmandi union and the son of the late Mokbul Hossain of Baliapara village.

The incident occurred around 9:30am in the Bottola area near Baliapara Stand in the union.

Araihazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khandaker Nasir Uddin said, "We recovered the body upon receiving the report. The exact motive is not yet known, but initial suspicion points to an extortion-related dispute."

"The situation is currently calm, and law enforcement personnel are patrolling the area. Efforts are underway to identify those involved in the incident," he added.

According to locals, Sohel, accompanied by three associates, went to the house of Sharif, son of the late Hafez of the area, allegedly to demand money.

A quarrel broke out between Sharif's family and Sohel, and with help from neighbours, the family detained him and alerted other villagers.

As word spread, an agitated crowd gathered, tied Sohel's hands and feet, and began beating him, locals said.

He was fatally injured and died on the spot, while his three companions managed to flee.

Police from Araihazar Police Station arrived soon after, brought the situation under control, and prepared an inquest report. 

The body is being sent to Narayanganj General (Victoria) Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Sohel had at least 14–15 cases against him, including charges of terrorism, drug trafficking, abduction, theft and attempted murder.

Earlier, on 13 June, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-11) arrested him along with his associate Fazlul Haque Fazlu during a raid at the Daudkandi bridge toll plaza in Cumilla.