Rangpur:Two individuals lost their lives in a mob beating after being accused of stealing an auto-rickshaw in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur early Sunday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the deceased were identified as Rezaul, also known as Kana, 42, from Bagdohora village under Nohali union, and Sadikul Islam, 32, from Kolkanda union in the upazila. The incident took place around 530 am near the Teesta Large Irrigation Canal in the Giriyarpar area of Uttar Panapukur under Barabil union.
Police, led by Md Abdus Sabur, officer-in-charge of Gangachara Model Police Station, recovered the bodies from the scene. Local residents reported that Siddiqur Rahman Sohel, a resident of Bagpur Dakkhinpara in Barabil union, heard a noise from the shed where he kept his auto-rickshaw and saw someone taking the vehicle. Worshippers from a nearby mosque, who were offering Fajr prayers, responded to Sohel's cries and attempted to catch the suspects.
Despite initial efforts, the suspects were not immediately apprehended, leading locals to use the mosque's loudspeaker to alert more residents. The two men reportedly abandoned the auto-rickshaw about half a kilometre away and attempted to flee through a paddy field, but were caught by locals who fatally assaulted them.
OC Sabur stated that police arrived at the scene upon receiving information, conducted an inquest, and transported the bodies to the police station. The bodies were subsequently sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Legal action is being pursued in connection with the incident.