Employee burned to death for 'refusing free alcohol'; Liquor shop later locked

A liquor shop employee in Narsingdi was allegedly burned to death after several people demanded 10 litres of alcohol free of charge. Police said, upon being refused, the youths poured petrol over the shop staff member and set him on fire.

Police and local sources said the incident took place around afternoon on September 19 at a local liquor shop in Narsingdi town.

A group of people, including Zahid Sarker, son of Jahangir Sarker, owner of residential hotel Nirala, allegedly demanded 10 litres of alcohol without payment.

When the demand was refused, the group allegedly poured petrol over shop employee Tanvir Ahmed Rabbi, 30, who was at the counter, and set him on fire in public.

Rabbi, who suffered severe burns, was taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. He died on Thursday afternoon after spending five days in the intensive care unit.

Following the incident, Rabbi’s mother, Minu Begum, filed a case with Narsingdi Sadar Model Police Station. Police have arrested the main accused, Jahangir Sarker, and Kazi Taufiq Ahmed alias Pias, 30.

On Friday evening, Narsingdi district Jubo Dal president and senior joint general secretary of the district BNP Mohsin Hossain Bidyut, along with district Chhatra Dal president Siddiqur Rahman Nahid, put a lock on the liquor shop.

Mohsin Hossain Bidyut said the unchecked sale of drugs and alcohol had contributed to an increase in crimes such as theft, snatching and robbery in the town. He said the killing of a person by setting him on fire over an issue involving alcohol was unacceptable in a democratic and civilised country.

He also expressed concern that the operation of liquor businesses near more than 100 educational institutions, including Narsingdi Government College, could expose students to substance abuse. He called for the closure of liquor shops in the town as part of efforts to control crime.

Attempts to contact the owner of the liquor shop, Rubel Mia, and its manager, Hashem Mia, for their comments were unsuccessful.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) of Narsingdi Ashikur Rahman told the media that police would take action if the liquor shop contributed to a deterioration in law and order or an increase in theft and snatching.

However, he said the shop’s licence had been issued by a different government department, and any decision to relocate or shut it down would therefore have to be taken by the relevant authority.

ASI Saiful Islam of Narsingdi Sadar Police Station told Views Bangladesh that the shop employee had indeed been burned to death. “I cannot comment on the other details. The officer-in-charge can provide further information,” he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Narsingdi Sadar Police Station A.R. Mamun told Views Bangladesh that the shop employee had been burned to death with petrol after refusing to provide 10 litres of alcohol.

“His mother filed a case, and we have arrested two people in connection with the incident,” he said.

Asked whether those involved were affiliated with any political party, he said, “No, they are not affiliated with any political party.”

Regarding the locking of the liquor shop by the district Jubo Dal president and others, the officer-in-charge said, “The shop was already closed.”