A school student was fatally hacked, and three others injured, in an assault by alleged drug dealers in Senbagh upazila, Noakhali, on Wednesday night.
The deceased, Arafat Hossain Fahim, 16, son of Shahjahan of Hajipur in Ward No. 9, Chowmuhani municipality, Begumganj upazila, was a student of Class X.
Locals said the attack was linked to recent community efforts against drug activities in Debisinghpur village, Nabipur union.
Residents had previously detained a drug user named Manna, who reportedly revealed the involvement of several local drug traders, including Md Harun, 35, of Jora Bari in the same village.
In response, local youths began nightly patrols, keeping the suspected drug deal
ers away for several days. However, on Wednesday evening around 8pm, a group of alleged drug dealers led by Harun, Jahangir, Momin, and Abul Khayer launched an attack on several young residents near Baitun Aman Mosque, including Ali Haidar Fahim, 18, Rifat, 20, and Sakib.
Arafat, who had come to visit his grandparents and aunt, was also attacked. All four victims were taken to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital, where doctors declared Arafat dead.
Officer-in-Charge of Senbagh Police Station, Abdur Rahim Sarkar, said initial investigations indicate the assault stemmed from a dispute linked to local drug activities. Harun has been arrested in connection with the incident.
