Grocery storekeeper killed in Rajshahi attack over change dispute

A grocery storekeeper named Abdul Bari (40) has been allegedly hacked to death in Rajshahi. Before the attack, a petrol bomb was thrown at his shop, setting it on fire. Later, when he came out in front of the house, a group of attackers hacked him with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured. After being taken to hospital, doctors declared him dead.

The incident took place around 1:45am on Saturday night, September 26, in the Bakir Mor area of Rajpara Police Station in the city. The deceased, Bari, is the son of Badrul Sarkar of that area. He used to run a grocery shop in front of his house.

According to the deceased's relatives and police, a dispute had arisen between Bari and several youths over not giving change. After Saturday evening, several youths from the Chandipur area of the city came to the Bakir Mor area and wanted to get change at Bari's shop. When he said he could not give change, an altercation took place with them. At one point, they came to blows.

According to relatives and police, following that incident, a group of about 50 to 55 people came in front of Bari's house around 1:45am with local weapons and petrol bombs. First, the attackers broke the lock of his shop's shutter. Later, they threw a petrol bomb inside the shop and set it on fire.

Seeing the fire at the shop, Bari and his family members came out of the house. At that time, the attackers surrounded Bari and hacked him indiscriminately with sharp weapons. Later, after the attackers left the scene, Bari was taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital in a critically injured condition.

After being taken to hospital, the doctor on duty declared Abdul Bari dead. His body is currently kept at the morgue of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Rajpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abul Kalam Azad said police went to the scene at night after receiving the news and inspected it. As of Sunday noon, no one could be arrested over the incident. After the autopsy, the deceased's body will be handed over to his family.

The OC further said the process of filing a case over the incident is underway. After receiving the First Information Report, necessary measures will be taken to identify and arrest the accused.