Naranyanganj mob snatches away ‘thief’ from police, beats him to death

An angry mob killed a suspected thief in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj early today, after snatching him away from police.

Three people, including a sub-inspector, suffered injuries in the incident that took place in Lalmatia Bus Stand area along Dhaka-Mymensingh Bypass Road, Gazipur, reports our Narayanganj correspondent.

The dead, who was approximately 30 years old, was yet to be identified, said police.

Inspector Saiful Islam of Bholab Police Outpost in Rupganj said three men were fleeing on a covered van after stealing three cows from Birtul village of Kaliganj upazila around 3:00am.

"Sub-Inspector Bashed of Kaliganj Ulikhola police outpost was chasing them. A group of locals then managed to stop the covered van. Two of the suspects fled, while one was caught by the mob," Inspector Saiful told The Daily Star.

"The mob beat him to death and set fire to their covered van. Police later recovered the body and sent it to Narayanganj General Hospital for autopsy."

Locals, however, have come up with a different account. They say police had managed to catch one of the thieves with their help.

An angry mob attacked the handcuffed thief while he was being taken away by police.

SI bashed said, "The mob [also] attacked the police. I received a blow to my head as they started throwing brickbats.

"Rupganj police arrived on the scene an hour later. With their help, two constables could be rescued but the thief died on the spot."