Miscreants have beaten to death a mentally challenged young man named Belal Hossain (32) while he was sleeping in Sitakunda, Chittagong. The incident occurred at the Mirer Hat Bazar in Syedpur Union of the upazila late on Saturday night.
The deceased Belal was the son of Abul Kalam from Joynal Ukil’s house, adjacent to Mirerhat Bazar in Syedpur Union No 1 of the upazila.
Visiting the spot on Sunday morning, it was seen that Belal’s bloodied body, wrapped in a blanket, was lying on the concrete floor on the south side of the market. A part of his ear was torn off. A used shoe was lying nearby. It is assumed that he was beaten with a piece of wood while sleeping, and then the miscreants fled after ensuring his death.
According to local sources, incidents of theft and robbery often occur at Mirerhat Bazar, and Belal used to stay awake at night to guard the market to prevent these crimes. Although mentally challenged, he knew everyone in the market and used to patrol at night with the night guards.
Locals suspect he was murdered in a planned manner because he obstructed the activities of thieves, robbers, or drug dealers.
President of the Mirerhat Bazar Management Committee, Jamshed Alam, said, “Although Belal was mentally challenged, he used to guard the market. He used to walk around the market shouting all night. Thieves, robbers, and drug dealers were annoyed because of him. Therefore, he has been killed in a planned manner.”
He further informed that on Saturday night, a Siraat-un-Nabi Mahfil was held in the market on the initiative of the CNG drivers’ association, which ended around 1am. It is assumed that the murder took place late at night after the Mahfil ended.
Sitakunda Model Thana’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Majibur Rahman said, “Primarily, it seems Belal was killed while sleeping. The body has been recovered and sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. A case is being processed regarding this incident, but no one has been identified yet.”
