Three 'robbers' beaten to death

A mob in Zinda area of Rupganj in Narayanganj beat three alleged robbers to death early yesterday.

Police and witnesses said a group of 10-15 robbers stormed the home of one Kuddus Shikder, 60, around 3:30am and attacked his family members with sharp weapons, injuring at least five.

When the robbers were leaving the house with around Tk 1.5 lakh, 25 tolas of gold, and other valuables, the victims cried out for help.

Locals then chased the robbers who exploded homemade bombs to make a getaway. 

They chased down three of the alleged robbers and gave them a beating. Two of them died on the spot, while one died at Rupganj Upazila Health Complex, said police.

The deceased were identified as Nasir Fakir, 40, of Gopalganj and Ezazul Islam, 23, of Narail, said police, adding that one of them was yet to be identified.

The bodies were sent to Narayanganj General Hospital morgue for autopsy. 

Officer-in-Charge Mahmudul Islam of Rupganj Police Station told The Daily Star that they were trying to recover the looted money and valuables and arrest the other criminals.

During the attack on Kuddus Sikder's home, Kuddus himself, his wife Josna Begum, 50, their son Yakub Sikder, 28, and his wife Dolan, 22, and Kuddus's son-in-law Abdus Razzak, 45, were injured.

They were admitted to a private hospital in the capital, said police.

The victim family said they had held Yakub and Dolan's wedding reception a couple of days ago and the robbers probably swooped on the house with an aim to grab the gold ornaments of the couple.

On December 10 last year, eight robbers were beaten to death in Araihazar upazila of the district.

At least 126 were killed in mob beating in 2012, 128 in 2013, and 127 in 2014, according to statistics of rights body Ain O Salish Kendra.