Child Beaten to Death Over Betel Nut Theft

In a tragic and deeply disturbing incident in Mymensingh’s Haluaghat Upazila, a nine-year-old boy was reportedly beaten to death after being accused of stealing betel nuts. The event has sparked outrage across the region, highlighting a brutal escalation of vigilante violence against a minor over a trivial allegation.

The Victim and the Accused

The young victim has been identified as Md. Imon, a nine-year-old resident of Bausa village in the Swadesh Union. Imon was the son of Dulal Mia, a local villager. The primary suspect in this homicide is a neighbour, 32-year-old Atahar Ali, who is currently a fugitive.

Sequence of Events

The tragedy originated several days ago when Atahar Ali accused young Imon of stealing betel nuts from his property. According to local sources and police reports, the matter had initially been addressed through a traditional local arbitration (Salish), which resulted in a monetary fine being imposed on the child's family.

Despite the resolution through local mediation, the situation turned fatal on Friday evening. It is alleged that Atahar Ali lured Imon into his home under the guise of a conversation. Once inside, the suspect reportedly locked the door and subjected the child to a sustained and violent physical assault.

The child succumbed to his injuries within the confines of the house. As news of the death began to circulate through the village, the suspect fled the scene to avoid capture by the local community or the authorities.

Police Investigation and Medical Protocol

Upon being notified of the incident, the Haluaghat police arrived at the scene to secure the area and recover the body. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Haluaghat Police Station, Ferdous Alam, confirmed that a team was dispatched immediately following the report.

A Community in Mourning

The death of a nine-year-old over a handful of betel nuts has left the Bausa village in a state of shock and mourning. Human rights advocates have frequently pointed out the dangers of "street justice" and the failure of local mediation to prevent further violence.

The authorities have assured the public that the body will undergo a formal inquest (Surathal) followed by a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. OC Ferdous Alam emphasized that a rigorous investigation is underway and that the police are making every effort to apprehend the suspect and bring him to justice.