'Terrorist' Sujan killed in mob-lynching

PATHARGHATA, BARGUNA, Feb 13: A man named Md. Abul Basar Sujan, 38, was killed in a mob lynching by enraged locals in Patharghata Upazila of Barguna District, following an incident where he allegedly chopped off a young man's hand. 

The incident occurred on Friday morning in Maddho Lemua Village under Rayhanpur Union in the upazila. It has been reported that the agitated mob not only gouged out Sujan's eyes but also vandalised and set fire to his home.

The deceased Sujan was the son of the late Bojlu Mia of the same area. Locals claimed he was a known terrorist in the region.

Local sources said the trouble began on Thursday night over a trivial matter concerning a mobile phone, when Sujan beat Kalu Mia, 20, son of Montu Mia from the same village. When Kalu's elder brother Riaz, 28, went to the scene after hearing the news, Sujan attacked him with a local weapon. Sujan then indiscriminately hacked Riaz, severing one of his hands from his body. Critically injured Riaz was rescued and first admitted to Mathbaria Hospital, and later to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal. His condition is currently stated to be critical.

Following the news of the brutal attack on Riaz, tension spread in Lemua Village around 10 am on Friday. Several hundred locals gathered and attacked Sujan's residence. The enraged mob beat Sujan and at one point gouged out his eyes. They also vandalised and set fire to his homestead.

Upon receiving the information, Patharghata Thana Police arrived at the scene around 2 pm and recovered Sujan, who was found with his hands and feet tied. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead.

Patharghata Thana's Sub-Inspector (SI) Ashit Kumar confirmed the incident, stating that police went to the scene upon receiving the news, brought the situation under control, and sent Sujan to the hospital. The body has been sent to the morgue for an autopsy.

He further informed that the entire area is currently tense. Police patrols have been intensified to avoid any untoward incidents.