3 beaten to death on suspicion of cow theft in Gazipur, truck set on fire

Three members of a gang of thieves were killed in a mob beating on suspicion of cow theft in Kaliakair Upazila of Gazipur. 

The incident took place in the Bagchala area of Fulbaria Union of the upazila early Sunday. At that time, locals set fire to a pickup van used for theft.

Shahidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaliakair Police Station, confirmed the incident.

The deceased are Krishan (46), son of Kamala Kantar of Ghasitola under Sylhet Sadar Police Station, Azharul Islam (36), son of Sharafat Ali of Maona Badni Bhangna area under Sreepur upazila of Gazipur, and Md Selim (38), son of Abdul Barek of Madhya Pirerbagh area of Mirpur in the capital.

According to locals, an organised gang of thieves raided a cow farm in the Bagchala area on Saturday midnight. They tried to take cows out of the cowshed when the locals came to know about it. Later, the locals surrounded and arrested the three and tied their hands and feet and beat them up.

On receiving the information, members of the Fulbaria police camp reached the spot and rescued the three who were seriously injured. Later, they were taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Medical College Hospital where the doctor on duty declared them dead. 

According to hospital sources, one died on the way to the hospital and the other two died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Mofizur Rahman, UP member of Ward 1 of Fulbaria, said, “The incidents of theft have increased in the area in the past few days. On Saturday night, thieves entered the area in a pickup van. Locals caught them while they were preparing to take away cows. Later, more than a hundred people gathered and beat them up.”

OC Shahidul Islam said, “The hospital authorities have confirmed the death of three people. Police have been sent to the scene and the hospital.”

Police said an investigation into the incident is underway.