8 police officers suspended over lynching incident in Rangpur

Eight members of the police, including two sub-inspectors, have been suspended for alleged negligence in connection with the mob lynching of two men in Rangpur’s Taraganj upazila on August 9.

Rangpur Superintendent of Police Abu Saim confirmed the suspensions on Wednesday night. All eight officers were part of the mobile patrol team deployed in Taraganj during the time of the incident.

The suspended personnel include Sub-Inspectors Abu Zobayer and Shafiqul Islam, along with constables Farikud Akhtar Zaman, Dhiraj Kumar Roy, Hasan Ali, Firoz Kabir, Moktar Hossain, and Babul Chandra Roy.

Sub-Inspector Abu Zobayer, who was initially assigned as the investigating officer (IO) for the case, has also been removed from his duties. Inspector Rafiqul Islam has been appointed as the new IO.

The victims, Ruplal Das and his son-in-law Pradip Das, were attacked and killed by a mob around 9:30 pm near Bottola on the Taraganj-Kazirhat road. The mob suspected the duo of theft after they were found carrying plastic bottles, one of which reportedly emitted a strong odor that made two locals—Alamgir Hossain and Mehedi Hasan—fall ill.

According to local accounts, Pradip Das was traveling by rickshaw van from Mithapukur to discuss final arrangements for his upcoming marriage to Nupur Das, Ruplal's eldest daughter. After becoming confused about directions, Pradip called Ruplal for assistance, and the two continued their journey together.

However, shortly after, they were stopped by villagers who accused them of suspicious activity. The situation escalated quickly, leading to the fatal attack.

Two separate cases have been filed in connection with the incident, and several suspects have already been taken into custody.