Two more arrested over lynching of Hindu youth in Mymensingh
The arrestees are Ashiqur Rahman, 25, and Kaiyum, 25, both residents of the Jamirdia Dubaliapara area in the upazila.
Police have arrested two more people in connection with the lynching of a Hindu garment factory worker in Mymensingh's Bhaluka upazila over allegations of blasphemy.
The arrestees are Ashiqur Rahman, 25, and Kaiyum, 25, both residents of the Jamirdia Dubaliapara area in the upazila, reports Prothom Alo.
Confirming the matter today (21 December), Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (administration) Abdullah Al Mamun said, "The two accused were present at the scene during the incident. They were identified through video footage and arrested last night."
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"They will be sent to court today with a prayer for remand," he said.
Earlier, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police had arrested 10 others in separate drives in connection with the incident.
They are Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Ltd floor manager Alamgir Hossain, 38; factory quality in-charge Miraj Hossain Akon, 46; Tarek Hossain, 19; Limon Sarker, 19; Manik Mia, 20; Ershad Ali, 39; Nijhum Uddin, 20; Azmal Hasan Sagir, 26; Shahin Mia, 19; and Md Nazmul.
Following the killing, the victim's brother Apu Chandra Das filed a case with the Bhaluka Model Police Station on Friday night, naming 140 to 150 unidentified people as accused.
What happened in Bhaluka?
According to RAB, the victim Dipu Chandra Das, aged around 28, was a garment worker at Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Ltd and a resident of an area under Tarakanda Police Station in the district. He was forcibly taken out of the factory and killed on 18 December.
In an act of mob violence, an agitated crowd accused the victim of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet (PBUH) and religion and forcibly dragged him out of the factory at around 9pm, RAB said in a statement, adding that he was then beaten to death.
"Later, the body was hung from a tree on the divider of the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway at Jamirdia Square Masterbari bus stand and set on fire."
Md Shamsuzzaman, company commander of RAB in Mymensingh, said when the situation spiralled out of control, factory officials handed the victim over to the alleged mob to protect the factory.
He added that while the incident occurred at around 4pm, police were informed only at about 8pm.
"Everyone we have questioned claims they heard that the man had made offensive remarks, but none of them personally heard or witnessed it," Shamsuzzaman said.
