Youth beaten to death over theft allegation in Cox’s Bazar: NCP leader among four arrested
The deceased, Ali Akbar, 25, was the son of Ali Ahmed of Kuliapara in Khurushkul union under Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around midnight at the Allawala hatchery in Khurushkul union
A youth was beaten to death on allegations of theft at a hatchery in Cox's Bazar Sadar in the early hours of today (6 May).
In the aftermath, an angry mob assaulted a local National Citizen Party (NCP) leader and others involved in the incident. Police later rescued individuals from the mob and took them, including the NCP leader, into custody.
The deceased, Ali Akbar, 25, was the son of Ali Ahmed of Kuliapara in Khurushkul union under Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around midnight at the Allawala hatchery in Khurushkul union.
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Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ilias Khan confirmed that four people had been arrested: Rayian Kashem, his uncle Tanvir Kashem, and two hatchery night guards, Md Hossain and Md Mizan.
Rayian Kashem is the district coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and an active NCP leader in Cox's Bazar. The hatchery is owned by his father, Jahangir Kashem, the central vice-chairman of the AB Party.
The victim's father, Ali Ahmed, alleged that his son was forcibly taken from their home around midnight and was beaten to death after being falsely accused of stealing fish.
As news of the incident spread, tension rose in the area. Locals attacked Rayian Kashem, who was later rescued by police and taken to hospital for treatment.
Prior to the attack, Rayian Kashem told the media that hatchery security guards had caught Ali Akbar "red-handed" while stealing. He claimed that when Ali Akbar allegedly attacked the guards, they retaliated in self-defence, which led to his death.
OC Ilias Khan said that the four individuals had been arrested on the spot and that a case would be filed following further investigation.
"Everyone involved in the incident will be brought under the law," he said.
The body of the deceased was recovered during the night and sent to the morgue of Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital.
Police stated that Rayian Kashem would be formally accused if the investigation substantiates the allegations against him.
