Murder accused beaten to death by mob in Sitakunda, house set ablaze
The victim had been named the prime accused in a murder case filed hours earlier over the death of a teenage boy allegedly assaulted earlier this week.
Highlights:
- Teen's death sparks murder case against Nur Islam
- Prime accused killed in alleged mob beating overnight
- House torched amid heightened tensions in Sitakunda
- Police promise investigation into both incidents
- Wife admits assault, condemns extrajudicial killing
The prime accused in a murder case over the death of a teenage boy was beaten to death by a mob in Chattogram's Sitakunda early today (27 July), while a group of locals allegedly set fire to his house.
The deceased, Mohammad Nur Islam, alias Iran, 45, was killed around 1:30am in the Bhaterkhil area of Muradpur union, according to police and local residents.
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According to them, Nur Islam and his associates allegedly assaulted 16-year-old Naeem Uddin on Monday.
Naeem was first taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where he died on Saturday after five days of treatment.
Following Naeem's death, his father filed a murder case with Sitakunda Police Station on yesterday night, naming Nur Islam as the prime accused.
Md Ezharul Islam, a member of Ward No 2 of Muradpur union, alleged that tensions escalated in the area after the case was filed. He claimed Nur Islam and his associates tried to create panic by setting off fireworks. Police later went to the area, prompting Nur Islam to go into hiding.
"At around 1:30am, locals spotted Nur Islam and beat him. He died at the scene. At the same time, another group set fire to his house," Ezharul said.
He further alleged that Nur Islam had long been involved in drug trafficking, local dominance and other criminal activities, which had fuelled public anger against him.
According to Sitakunda police, Nur Islam had four cases against him, including two murder cases. He was the main accused in both the Naeem murder case and the killing of Chhatra League leader Shamim. He also faced two drug cases.
Confirming the incident, Investigation Inspector Md Alamgir of Sitakunda Police Station told The Business Standard that Nur Islam was a listed criminal and police had conducted several drives to arrest him.
He said Nur Islam died after being beaten by local people but added that he could not immediately confirm the allegation that the house had been set on fire.
"If complaints are filed, police will investigate both the mob killing and the alleged arson and take legal action," he said.
Nur Islam's wife, Khaleda Begum, acknowledged that her husband was involved in drug trafficking and had assaulted Naeem. However, she said he should have been brought to justice through legal process.
"We have lost everything after he was beaten to death and our house was set on fire," she said.
