Aged man beaten to death at Amtali

 
KALAPARA, PATUAKHALI, Mar 25: A 70-year-old man from Patuakhali's Kalapara Upazila died on Thursday morning while being taken to Dhaka for advanced treatment after he was allegedly tied to a tree and beaten in neighbouring Amtali Upazila of Barguna District on suspicion of theft.

The deceased, Motaleb Akon, was a resident of Tulatuli Village under Latachapli Union in Kalapara. Family members said he had long been suffering from mental health problems.

According to the family, Motaleb left home on March 17 without informing anyone. After searching in different places, his relatives learned about his whereabouts a day later through social media.

They alleged that in Chaulapara area of Sarikkhali Union under Amtali Upazila in Barguna, several people tied him to a tree and beat him severely after suspecting him of theft.

The accused were named as Nirob, 27, son of Eshahak; Zahir Hang, 28, son of Sattar Hang; and Al-Amin, 30, son of Halim Gazi, along with seven to eight unidentified people.

After being informed, family members rushed to the spot, rescued Motaleb and admitted him to a local hospital. As his condition worsened, he was first taken to Barishal. Later, doctors decided to refer him to Dhaka, but he died on the way around 6 am on Thursday, relatives said.

Locals said Motaleb had long been mentally unstable and condemned the incident, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved.

Asadur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Taltali Police Station, said the incident had come to the attention of police. He said the victim's elder son, Moazzem Akon, filed a case with the police station.

The officer added that further legal action would be taken after the post-mortem report is received.