Teenager Killed After Abduction, Suspect Lynched by Angry Villagers

A 15-year-old boy was allegedly abducted from his home and brutally assaulted before being killed in Sitakunda, Chattogram, while a man accused of involvement in the teenager’s death was later beaten and hacked to death by enraged villagers, according to local sources and police.

The incident took place on Saturday night, 25 July, in the South Bhaterkhil area of Muradpur Union in Sitakunda upazila. The teenager, identified as Naim, died while undergoing treatment on Friday afternoon. The man later killed by the villagers was identified as Nurul Islam Iran, 45, son of Nurul Haque and a resident of the same locality.

Local residents alleged that Iran was involved in the local drug trade. According to accounts cited by the family and locals, some yaba tablets allegedly went missing from the possession of one of his associates. When efforts to locate the drugs began, the associate reportedly claimed that Naim and another young man, identified as Emran, 20, had them.

The allegation led to a violent confrontation. On the night of 20 July, Iran and several associates allegedly called Naim and Emran from their homes and subjected them to severe physical assault. Naim was reportedly beaten and attacked with a sharp weapon before being left seriously injured in front of Iran’s house.

The teenager’s uncle, Mohammad Faruk, alleged that Naim was subjected to particularly brutal treatment, including injuries to his skin and nails. He said Naim came from a poor family and was known locally as a well-behaved boy. The family has denied any suggestion that he was involved in wrongdoing.

Emran was also allegedly beaten during the incident. His family members reportedly pleaded with Iran to spare his life. According to Emran’s mother, Hasina Begum, the family paid Tk 30,000 to secure his release, after which he was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for treatment. Both Naim and Emran had reportedly been receiving medical care following the alleged assault.

Naim died in hospital on Friday afternoon, prompting anger and grief in the community. His funeral prayers were held at around 5pm on Saturday. During the funeral, villagers reportedly used loudspeakers to express their anger and declared that they would not accept such violence.

According to local accounts, Iran allegedly responded by firing several blank shots, further escalating tensions in the area. Soon afterwards, residents from four neighbouring villages reportedly gathered and began searching for him.

The situation then descended into mob violence. Villagers allegedly found Iran and beat and hacked him to death. They also reportedly demolished 10 to 12 structures allegedly used by him as bases or hideouts and set fire to his home and other properties.

The killing of Iran has added a second fatality to an already volatile incident, raising concerns over the dangers of retaliatory violence and mob justice. While residents have expressed outrage over Naim’s death, the subsequent killing of an accused person without due legal process has also intensified the seriousness of the situation.

Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mohinul Islam said a case had been filed at the police station on Saturday in connection with Naim’s death. He said that after Naim’s funeral prayers, angry residents allegedly killed Iran, set fire to his house and demolished 10 to 12 structures that were reportedly used as his bases.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding both deaths, including the allegations of abduction and torture, the reported payment made to secure Emran’s release, the teenager’s death in hospital and the subsequent mob killing and destruction of property. The exact sequence of events and the responsibility of those involved will be determined through the investigation and legal proceedings.