Four suspected robbers lynched in Narayanganj

Four individuals suspected of robbery were killed by a mob in the Baghuri Madhyapara area of Sonargaon, Narayanganj on Monday night. The incident occurred around midnight near a local beel (waterbody).

Three of the alleged robbers died at the scene, while the fourth succumbed to injuries at a local hospital. Authorities have yet to identify three of the individuals.

However, the injured person has been identified as Mohammad Ali, 42, the son of Nur Miah from Jalakandi village in Araihazar upazila, and the deceased at the hospital as Jakir, 45, the son of Amanullah from the Sukherchar area of Kanchpur union.

Confirming the incident to The Business Standard, District Superintendent of Police Golam Mostafa Russel said that they are currently interrogating the injured and trying to identify three of the deceased.

"The villagers acted on suspicion due to recent robberies. Additional police have been deployed, and legal action will follow," he added.

According to the police and locals, villagers spotted Jakir with a group of 6-7 other people near the beel. Villagers reportedly recognised Jakir due to his past involvement in similar crimes.

Suspecting another robbery attempt, they immediately raised the alarm. Some villagers broadcasted warnings via mosque loudspeakers in the surrounding areas.

Following the announcements, hundreds of villagers from Baghuri Madhyapara, Panchamighat, Sukherchar, and Alipura areas confronted the suspected robbers and beat them up.

While three were able to escape the mob, one of them was found by locals of Alipura Bazar, which is located about two kilometres from Baghuri village.

According to locals, the alleged runaway robber was beaten up and then thrown into the Old Brahmaputra River from Alipura Bridge at around 3am. Locals believe he drowned in the river.

A tense atmosphere was found in the village on Monday morning as residents remained tight-lipped about the details.

The 3 bodies kept for post-mortem near the Madhyapara mosque were bloody and wounded.

However, the locals reported that due to 3 robbery incidents since February, the villagers were on high alert. 

A shopkeeper in Alipura Bazar attributed the villagers' actions to a surge in robberies before Eid.

"Robbers steal people's life savings, hurt them and even kill them. People are frustrated and such an incident happened," he said.

A local UP member Zakir, said, "The deceased robber Jakir was caught during a prior robbery attempt in Baghuri village. He was released then after apologising. But recent robberies fueled anger among the villagers, leading to their actions."

A Criminal Investigation Department inspector investigating the scene said, "The deceased wore clothing typical of robbers. However, no weapons were found. We are investigating the purpose of the gathering."

The injured survivor, currently hospitalised, reportedly told police that Jakir summoned six of them, with five others expected to join. However, he did not know the reason for the meeting.