No locals come to dig graves for Muradnagar lynching victims

In Cumilla’s Muradnagar, local residents refrained from digging the graves of those killed in a mob beating. On Friday night, the graves were dug by members of the village police, in the presence of police, army, and RAB personnel.

Earlier, on Thursday morning, three people were killed in a mob attack in Koribari village under the upazila. The deceased were known drug dealer Roksana Begum Ruby, her son Rasel, and her daughter Jonaki.

During a visit on Friday night, it was observed that four individuals, including three village police members, were digging the graves at the Koribari graveyard. The bodies arrived around 9.00pm, and the janaza took place around 10.00pm in the presence of law enforcement. The burial was completed at approximately 10:30 pm.

According to police, although the autopsies were completed, no one came to claim the bodies until Friday afternoon. Later in the evening, Ruby’s son-in-law, Monir Hossain, took custody of the bodies.

Mahfuzur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Bangra Bazar Police Station, said, “We have spoken with the victims’ relatives. They said they would file a case by tonight. Our operations to arrest the accused are ongoing.”

It is to be noted that on July 3, residents of Koribari village under Akubpur Union attacked and brutally beat and hacked to death Roksana Begum Ruby, her son Rasel, and daughter Jonaki Akter. Another daughter, Ruma, was seriously injured.

Rasel’s wife, Mim Akter, said that 80-90 people came to their house with sticks. First, they threw bricks at the house, then entered. They beat Ruby and left her lying in the yard. When the daughters came out from a nearby room, they were also beaten.

Meanwhile, after media reports, the incident sparked nationwide outrage. Many residents of Koribari village fled the area. Most of the houses are now locked. The village roads are empty, and no male residents are visible.