Two individuals have been killed in a mob beating on suspicion of being dacoits in the Sonkhola area of Satkania upazila of Chattogram.
The deceased were identified as Nizam and Salek, said Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam of Satkania Police Station on Tuesday, reported UNB.
Several others were injured in the gunfire, the OC said.
The incident occurred around midnight on Monday when locals, angered by recent extortion activities, targeted the two men after an announcement was made over a mosque loudspeaker, declaring the suspects to be dacoits.
According to locals, the area had been under the oppressive grip of an extortionist group led by Nezam. On the night of the incident, Nezam and several others entered the Sonkhola area, prompting worshippers returning from Taraweeh prayers to surround the group. The mosque’s loudspeaker announced that dacoits had entered the area, sparking panic.
In response, Nezam’s group fired gunshots at the villagers, injuring five of them. The wounded were immediately rescued and taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Amidst the chaos, the mob captured Nezam and his accomplice, Salek, and beat them to death on the spot.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the police station and will be sent for autopsy in the morning. Among the gunshot victims, four have been sent to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment, the OC also said.
The cause of the incident is under investigation, he added.
