UP member lynched in Araihazar over extortion allegations

Sohel Mia, a 35-year-old Union Parishad (UP) member from Ward No. 3 of Brahmandi Union, was killed in a mob lynching in Araihazar, Narayanganj. 

The incident occurred around 9:30 am on Monday in the Baliapara area. 

According to police and local sources, Sohel was lynched after he allegedly pulled out a firearm while demanding extortion. Several of his associates fled the scene.

Locals reported that Sohel had been extorting money from Sayem Mia, who was constructing eight shops in Baliapara. 

Sohel allegedly demanded one lakh taka per shop. On September 7, locals chased him away during a similar extortion attempt. On Monday, when Sohel and his associates returned to Sayem’s house to demand money again, Sayem refused to pay. Sohel then brandished a firearm, prompting nearby women to alert the mosque’s imam. 

The imam announced the incident over the mosque’s microphone, leading to a gathering of 600-700 people who attacked and killed Sohel on the spot.

Araihazar Police Station OC Khandaker Nasir Uddin confirmed the incident, stating that police recovered Sohel’s body and sent it to the Narayanganj morgue. 

He noted that Sohel had a criminal record, including cases related to drugs and violence at multiple police stations, including Araihazar. 

Sohel had been arrested several times, served prison time, and resumed involvement in drug smuggling, which fueled local resentment.

Locals further revealed that Sohel, the son of Maqbul Hossain from Baliapara, was elected as a UP member in the last election by leveraging his influence in Ward No. 3. 

After his election, he became increasingly reckless, engaging in illegal drug activities and openly wielding weapons to dominate the area. 

Known as a drug dealer with a reward in the district, Sohel reportedly aligned with a faction of the BNP by offering financial incentives following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5 last year, amid a student-led movement against discrimination.