A 22-year-old youth was killed and at least three others were injured after being hacked indiscriminately for confronting cannabis consumers in Senbag Upazila of Noakhali on Wednesday night.
The deceased was identified as Arafat Hossain Fahim, 22, son of Shahjahan Saju from Hajipur Union. He had been visiting his maternal grandfather’s house in Nabipur Union when the incident occurred.
The incident took place around 9:30pm on Wednesday, in front of Belal Master’s house near Sombariya Bazar under Nabipur Union. According to local and police sources, Harun Mia, 26, Momin, 22, and Jahangir, 24, were consuming cannabis together at the spot.
When Fahim, along with Rifat, 23, and Shakib, 21, objected to their drug use, an altercation ensued between the two groups. At one point, the drug users allegedly attacked them with sharp weapons under the cover of darkness, leaving four people seriously injured.
Locals rescued the victims and rushed them to Noakhali 250-bed General Hospital, where Fahim succumbed to his injuries at 11pm while undergoing treatment.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin and Finance) Abu Taib Md Arif Hossain said Senbag police launched an immediate operation following the killing and successfully arrested the prime accused, Harun Mia.
The police official further noted that a tense situation is currently prevailing in the area, and additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain order. Operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
