A truck driver was killed and two others were seriously injured in a mass beating by locals in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur on Friday night following allegations of reckless driving.
The deceased was identified as Hannan, 45, a truck driver hailing from Boalmari upazila.
The injured, identified as helper Naim, 22, of Sonakhola in Saltha and Al-Amin, 25, of Kagdi area, are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The incident occurred at approximately 8pm in the Billnalia Nutun Hatkhola area of Talma Union.
According to police and local sources, a truck was speeding from the Rasulpur area of Saltha upazila through a narrow village road.
Local residents blocked the vehicle due to its dangerously high speed. An agitated mob then assaulted the driver and two helpers, leaving them critically injured. The crowd also vandalised the truck during the confrontation.
Locals alleged that the truck had been fleeing after hitting several pedestrians in various areas, including Rasulpur.
Eyewitnesses claimed that as many as 20 pedestrians may have been injured in those earlier incidents. The truck eventually crashed into a shop named Munshi Store in the Billnalia Nutun Hatkhola area before being stopped.
Upon receiving the news, Mahmudul Hasan, assistant superintendent of police (Nagarkanda Circle), Rasul Samdani Azad, officer-in-charge (OC) of Nagarkanda Police Station, and Kamal Hossain Mia, chairman of Talma Union Parishad, arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control.
Chairman Kamal Hossain Mia stated, “I went to the spot and controlled the situation after being informed. However, the locals had already beaten the driver and the two others, causing serious injuries.”
OC Rasul Samdani Azad said that the police acted quickly to calm the angry crowd. He added that preliminary investigations suggest the truck was attempting to escape after causing multiple accidents elsewhere. The driver, Hannan, succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital.
Police confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway, and necessary legal actions will be taken.
