Two persons were beaten to death by a mob allegedly over suspicions of cattle theft in Kazipur of Sirajganjton Sunday night.
The victims, identified as Abdur Razzak, 55, from Paikpara village of Sirajganj Sadar upazila and Rashedul, 45, from Beripotler village in Kalihati upazila of Tangail, died following the violent incident.
The killings took place after a group of thieves allegedly stole three cattle from the char area of Sariakandi, Bogra, and attempted to flee by boat.
Witnesses reported that locals, sensing suspicious activity, used another boat to chase them. However, their boat ran out of fuel, allowing the pursuit to continue no further.
The group of thieves crossed into Kazipur, where local fishermen were alerted, and the thieves were soon cornered.
At this point, a mob from the Afannagar area of Shuvogacha union in Kazipur apprehended the suspects and beat them up indiscriminately.
Three of the thieves managed to escape by jumping into the river, while two were captured. The injured men were later taken to the hospital, but one was declared dead upon arrival.
Kazipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Noor Alam confirmed the details, and said, “The suspected thieves were caught, and a mob violence ensued, leaving two dead and others injured,” he added. One of the stolen cattle died due to being tightly tied.
Inspector (Investigation) Md Ahsanuzzaman from Sirajganj Sadar Police Station reported that the body of one of the suspects, who had jumped into the river, was recovered later in the night from Pachthakuri area, while another was rescued and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The two surviving men, Faruk , 40, and Md Vikram, 40, have been arrested and are receiving treatment in the hospital under police custody.
Sirajganj Naval Police OC Md Rafiqul Islam confirmed the identities of the deceased and said their bodies have been sent for autopsy. A case is being filed in connection with the incident.