Shopkeeper killed over extortion dispute in Rajshahi

A grocery shopkeeper was stabbed to death in Rajshahi’s Puthia Upazila after allegedly refusing to pay extortion money. Police have detained the suspect.

The victim, Mamunur Rashid Jewel, 48, was attacked at Council Bazar under Puthia Municipality around 6:30am on Friday (April 17).

According to local sources, Mamunur Rashid Jewel, son of the late Ansar from Krishnapur village, had opened his shop and was sitting inside when the accused, Mainul, 23, son of Kamal from Kathalbari village, entered the shop.

An argument broke out after Mainul demanded money for drug use and was refused. The dispute later escalated into a physical altercation. At one stage, Mainul allegedly stabbed Jewel in the chest with a knife.

Locals rescued the injured Jewel and rushed him to Puthia Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead after initial examination.

Immediately after the incident, local people chased and caught the suspect. An angry crowd beat him and tied him to a post before police arrived.

Officer-in-Charge Faridul Islam of Puthia Police Station said, “Local people had tied the accused to a post. We rescued him and took him into police custody for questioning.”

He added that the body has been sent for an autopsy.