A 15-year-old schoolboy in Panchagarh was stabbed and beaten allegedly by a group of teenagers following a dispute that began in a Facebook Messenger group chat.
Locals caught 12 boys and handed them over to police immediately after the attack.
The victim, Sohan Ali, is an eighth-grade student and the son of van driver Tarikul Islam from Badinajot village in Amarkhana.
He sustained serious injuries and was first taken to Panchagarh Modern Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Thakurgaon General Hospital.
Sohan’s elder brother, Rashidul Islam, filed a case with the Panchagarh Sadar police station on Monday night. The case names 17 accused and includes several unidentified youths.
The assault took place around 2:30pm on Monday in front of the sub-health centre beside Amar Khana High School in the Sadar upazila.
According to the case statement, Sohan had an argument with the accused 10–12 days ago in a Facebook group. After his exam on Monday, several teenagers allegedly surrounded him.
One boy, identified as Nur, struck Sohan on the head with a bicycle freewheel. Another, named Kaiyum, attempted to stab him in the chest. Sohan raised his left hand to protect himself and suffered a deep cut to his wrist, severing a tendon. Others punched and kicked him.
Hearing his screams, locals rushed in, catching 12 boys while a few of the main attackers escaped.
Teachers, including assistant headteacher Amirul Islam, took the detained boys to a classroom to calm the crowd. Police and the local union chairman later arrived, seized the weapons and took the boys into custody.
The detained teenagers are aged between 14 and 16. They study in classes seven to nine at various institutions, including BP Government High School, Collectorate School, Jagdal High School and Jagdal Alim Madrasah. They are residents of Satmera union, Jagdal Bazar, Khalpara, Pradhanpara, Baniyapara and Chekramari.
Sohan’s father, Tarikul Islam, said the attackers tried to kill his son and demanded justice. Rashidul, the case complainant, echoed the same allegation.
Relatives of the detained boys claimed they were not the main attackers and had gone to the scene after hearing about a dispute among friends.
Panchagarh Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Hil Jaman said the detained boys have been kept at the Women and Children Desk. Further action will follow court directives.
