Microbus driver, Pathao rider stabbed to death in Ctg

Two transport workers were stabbed to death in separate incidents in Chattogram early today, sparking protests and raising concerns over public safety in the district.

A microbus driver was stabbed to death by miscreants in Hathazari upazila.

The victim was identified as Mahbub Alam, 35, a resident of the Azimpara area under Ward No 3 of Hathazari municipality.

The incident took place around 4:00am at the yard of a building known as Alaol Hall in the Kolabagan area.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hathazari Model Police Station Jahidur Rahman said a group of assailants stabbed Mahbub and fled the scene. Locals rushed him to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), but he died on the way.

Initially, the body was taken to the victim’s house.

Police later visited the residence, prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the CMCH morgue for autopsy, the OC said.

Following the death, leaders and activists of the Microbus Drivers’ Association staged a protest, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the killing.

They blocked the Chattogram–Rangamati road in the Kolatol area, disrupting vehicular movement for about 20 minutes. Traffic returned to normal after police intervention.

According to police, preliminary investigation suggests that the murder stemmed from an altercation over a gambling-related dispute.

Police are working to identify and arrest those responsible, the OC said, adding that traffic movement in the area is now normal.

In a separate incident, a Pathao motorbike driver was stabbed to death by unidentified attackers on the Port Connecting Road in the Bandar–Port Colony area of the city.

The deceased was identified as Aijur Rahman, 36, hailing from Bagerhat district, police said. He lived with his wife in the Dup Pole area under Bandar Police Station.

Talking to The Daily Star, Bandar Police Station OC Abdur Rahim said, “A patrol police team found him and took him to CMCH, where the on-duty doctors declared him dead at around 2:00am.

The OC said Aijur, in his dying declaration, told police that he was knifed in Boropole area. After being stabbed, he managed to flee the scene riding his bike.

Aijur collapsed on the main road near Bandar Dakhil Madrasa in the Port Colony area of the Port Connecting Road, the OC said.

His bike and wallet were found with him. He was stabbed in the chest.

The body was sent to the CMCH morgue for autopsy, and police have started scrutinising CCTV footage, he added.