Cumilla: Police have reported that Yashat Shahriar Opratim, a seventh-grade student, was killed during an attempted iPhone snatching in the Lalmai Sananda hill area in Cumilla Sadar Dakkhain upazila. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, while a fourth, Siam, 19, is being held as his involvement is under investigation, according to Cumilla Superintendent of Police Md Anisuzzaman.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Superintendent Anisuzzaman revealed during a press briefing that Opratim's mobile phone was discovered at the residence of the prime suspect, Saiful Islam Tuhin. This discovery was pivotal in reconstructing the events leading to the student's death. CCTV footage showed Tuhin leading Opratim to an isolated area in Sananda on the afternoon of September 18. Following the discovery of Opratim's body, authorities detained Tuhin after identifying him from the footage.
During police questioning, Tuhin confessed to luring the schoolboy with the intent of stealing his phone. His confession led to the arrest of Mozammel Hossain Fahad, who then implicated another individual, Md Kamrul Hasan. Investigators later recovered Opratim's mobile phone from Tuhin's home based on his statement.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attempted robbery took place between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm on September 18. Opratim resisted the robbery, resulting in a confrontation during which he was struck on the head by Tuhin with a bamboo stick, followed by Fahad and Kamrul. The blows proved fatal.
After Opratim's death, the suspects fled the scene with his phone. Details about one of the suspects, Farhad, have been withheld due to his minor status. The police are also probing the possible involvement of Siam and others. A murder case has been filed against those apprehended, and a comprehensive police report will be submitted to the court upon completion of the investigation.
Opratim, the sole child of Dr. Nahida Begum, an associate professor at Cumilla University, and KM Firoz Shahriar, was found deceased in a wooded area in Sananda. He was laid to rest at the family graveyard in Kotbari.