House set on fire over drug allegations, mother-son held

A youth and his mother have been detained by locals in Bhaluks, Mymensingh, on charges of drug dealing and handed over to police. Later, a mob vandalised and set fire to their house, destroying several structures and a motorcycle.

The incident occurred on Friday morning, July 17, after an announcement was made from a mosque loudspeaker in Habirbari union, calling people to gather. Locals from surrounding villages detained Parvez Mia, 25, and his mother Parveen Akhter, and handed them over to Bhaluks Model Police.

Police said Parvez's father, Jamal Uddin, has five drug-related cases against him and is currently in jail. The allegations against Parvez and his mother are under investigation.

Locals claimed the family has been involved in drug dealing for a long time. However, before police could arrive, the mob vandalised and set fire to the house. Police later took the mother and son into custody. Police claimed to have recovered 50 Yaba pills from them.

Three semi-pucca houses, four tin-shed rooms, a kitchen and a motorcycle were burnt in the fire.

Bhaluks Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Zahidul Islam said police went to the spot and took the mother and son into custody. He said no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands. The vandalism and arson are also being investigated, and separate legal action is being prepared.