Imam found hanging inside mosque in Chakaria

Police have recovered the body of an imam from a room adjacent to a mosque in Chakaria upazila, Cox's Bazar. The incident occurred around 4:30 am on Thursday, May 14, in Purnagram village of Khutakhali union.

The deceased imam has been identified as Mohammad Idris. He was a resident of Pahartali village in Rashidnagar union of Ramu upazila and served as the imam of Purnagram Jame Mosque.

According to police and local sources, worshippers did not find the imam during Fajr prayers. They called out to him from outside his room. Receiving no response for a long time, they looked through the window and saw Idris hanging from a noose tied to a beam. The room was locked from inside. Police were informed and later recovered the body.

Chakaria Police Station OC Mohammad Monir Hossain said the room was bolted from inside, and no evidence of forced entry was found. Initially, it is suspected to be a suicide. The body will be sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy.