Youth killed over dispute on holding rope of Tajia procession in Old Dhaka: Police
CCTV footage helps identify 10-12 suspects involved in the incident.
Police have arrested four people in connection with the killing of a 31-year-old man during a Tajia procession in Old Dhaka, with investigators saying the attack was triggered by a dispute over holding the rope attached to a ceremonial duli.
At a briefing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media Centre on Saturday (27 June), Deputy Commissioner (Lalbagh Division) Muhammad Talebur Rahman said the victim, Md Zakir Hossain, was stabbed following an argument that escalated into a violent confrontation.
Among the arrested, one has been identified as Md Rashed, 20, while the identities of three others have not been disclosed as they are minors.
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Police conducted overnight raids in Gendaria and other areas of the capital between 1:30am and 7am today, leading to their arrest. Authorities also recovered a switchblade, a machete and clothing allegedly used during the attack.
According to police, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon when a Tazia procession set out from Bibika Rawza Imambara in Sutrapur around 4pm and proceeded towards Dhanmondi via Chawkbazar and Lalbagh.
Around 4:45pm, as the procession passed Banglabazar, a group of youths allegedly attacked Zakir beneath the Ispahani Building on PK Roy Road. He was later taken to Mitford Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The victim, a sanitation worker under Dhaka South City Corporation's Ward No 26, was identified after preliminary investigation using CCTV footage collected from the scene.
Zakir's elder brother later filed a murder case with Sutrapur Police Station against 14 to 15 unidentified individuals.
Police said initial interrogation suggests the violence began over an altercation involving the ceremonial rope of the duli carried in the procession.
Responding to a question, the DMP official said investigators have identified 10 to 12 people from CCTV footage. While some actively participated in the attack, others were present at the scene. Police expect to arrest the remaining suspects soon, he added.
