Teenage rickshaw driver shot dead by robbers in Ctg; two held

A 15-year-old Habibur Rahman Zihad, a sixth-grader from Chattogram, was brutally murdered while trying to earn a little money to support his struggling family. The young boy's life was cut short on what was meant to be a simple evening journey with his uncle's battery-operated auto-rickshaw.

According to police, the cruel act unfolded Tuesday night (30 September) when two men, posing as passengers, climbed into Zihad's rickshaw. As they crossed the desolate streets of Sheikhpara, the attackers slit his throat and fled with the vehicle, leaving the teenager's body behind.

Around 9am yesterday, his lifeless form was recovered from a nearby pond by police and sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Zihad, the son of Didarul Alam from Musapur, Mogdhora in Sandwip, lived with his family in a rented home in Sobahanbagh while pursuing his studies. Despite severe financial hardship, the Sitakunda Genius School had admitted him under special concession, providing extra support so that his dreams of education could continue.

Neighbours described Zihad as a bright, determined boy who had quietly shouldered responsibilities far beyond his age, hoping to help his family during the festive season.

The stolen auto-rickshaw later surfaced when Bappi, one of the attackers, tried to sell it at a garage in the Madam Bibirhat area. The garage owner, suspicious of Bappi's behaviour, called the rickshaw's owner, Akbar, whose phone number was written behind the rickshaw.

Rushing to the scene, locals confronted Bappi, bringing him and the rickshaw to the municipality's main market. Enraged, the crowd beat Bappi until he confessed to murdering the boy.

Following his confession, his relative and accomplice, Rajib, was also apprehended. Both hail from Sandwip and reside in the municipality area.

Sitakunda Police Officer-in-Charge Mojibur Rahman told The Business Standard, "Police recovered the murder weapon and retrieved Zihad's body for autopsy. Bappi sustained serious injuries during the citizen-led apprehension and is receiving treatment. Legal proceedings will follow."

The tragic death of Zihad has sent shockwaves through the community. A promising young life, taken in cold blood while trying to help his family, leaves a scar on all who knew him.