One lynched, 7 injured in Rajshahi over suspected robbery

A suspected robber was killed and seven others were critically injured in a mass beating by villagers in Palashi village of Puthia upazila in Rajshahi early today (2 March).

The deceased was Md Shahin, 55, a resident of Maria village in Durgapur upazila.

The seven injured individuals, hailing from different parts of the country, are currently undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) under police custody.

According to Puthia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Faridul Islam and locals, a group of eight men entered the village at around 1:30am in a pickup, equipped with sharp weapons and tools used for breaking locks.

Suspecting their motives, the villagers intercepted the group as they were reportedly preparing for a robbery. The mob then tied them up and beat them severely.

OC Faridul said police reached the spot in the morning after being informed of the incident and took the alleged robbers into custody.

Upon being taken to the hospital, one person was pronounced dead, he added.

The OC said legal action is being taken following discussions with senior officials.

Dr Shankar Kumar Biswas, emergency medical officer at RMCH, confirmed that one person was brought dead.

Of the seven injured, six are being treated in ward no 4 and one in ward no 8. Their conditions are currently stable, according to him.

Rajshahi Superintendent of Police Mohammad Naimul Hasan stated that the group was found with a pickup van and local weapons.

He added that the body of the deceased has been sent to the RMCH morgue for an autopsy.

Later in the day, two cases were filed, according to police.

Police filed a case against 250 to 300 unidentified persons over the killing and another case against members of the alleged robbery gang over the attempted robbery.