Man beaten to death on suspicion of robbery in Noakhali

A young man was beaten to death in public in Kabirhat upazila of Noakhali on Saturday night after being suspected of robbery. The incident occurred around 10:00 pm on a road adjacent to Kalirhat Bazar in Narottampur Union.

Following the killing, a group of youths allegedly distributed sweets in the market area, branding the victim a “robber.”

The deceased was identified as Mizanur Rahman, son of Md. Shahid of Jainadpur area under Kabirhat Municipality. He was the father of two children. Police said Mizanur had at least six cases filed against him, including charges of robbery, theft, possession of illegal arms, and assault on a government official.

According to police and local sources, a BNP ward-level election meeting was underway at Kalirhat Bazar around 8:00 pm. During the meeting, Mizanur arrived and claimed to be a long-time party activist, which led to an argument with party leaders and activists. At one point, he was chased away and fled the area.

Later, several individuals reportedly caught him on the northern side of the market and beat him indiscriminately with sticks and iron pipes, killing him on the spot. His body was left on the roadside.

Harunur Rashid Harun, former president of BNP’s Ward No. 2 unit of Narottampur Union, said there was a verbal altercation with Mizanur during the meeting, but he left afterward. He claimed to have no knowledge about who killed him or about the alleged distribution of sweets.

Md. Nizam Uddin Bhuiyan, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kabirhat Police Station, said police rushed to the scene and prepared an inquest report. A toy pistol and a tip knife were recovered from the victim’s pocket, while a bloodstained stick and an iron pipe were seized from the scene.

The OC added that no written complaint has yet been filed by the victim’s family. Legal action will be taken following investigation once a complaint is received. The body will be sent to Noakhali General Hospital morgue for autopsy on Sunday morning.