In Noakhali’s Hatiya, the hanging body of a young man was recovered after being taken and confined in the name of an arbitration meeting.
The deceased youth was identified as Zahid Hossain (22). The family alleged that he was deliberately murdered and then hung from a tree.
On Saturday at around 7 a.m., police recovered Zahid’s body from a tree beside the road in the Project Bazar area of Chanandi Union under the upazila. He was the son of Md. Zakir from that area.
The accused person is Sohel Mahmud, former president of Hatiya’s Chanandi Union West Branch BNP.
According to local sources, a few days ago Zahid started working as a day laborer at Sohel Mahmud’s house on a monthly salary basis. After only two or three days of work, without any notice, he returned home. At that time, accusations arose against him of stealing an almirah key, mobile phone, and other items.
On Friday evening, Sohel Mahmud picked up Zahid from Ali Bazar and brought him by motorcycle to Project Bazar. There, an arbitration meeting was arranged. His father was also called in. After the allegations were presented, at one point Zahid’s father was sent home, but Zahid was kept detained there. The family alleged that he was threatened and tortured that night.
By dawn on Saturday, his body was found hanging from a tree beside the main road adjacent to Project Bazar.
Md. Zakir said, “My son was detained, tortured, and then killed. If he had done anything wrong, they could have handed him over to me and I would have judged him. Why didn’t they hand him over to me? Why was he detained?” He demanded a proper investigation and justice in this incident.
BNP leader Sohel Mahmud said, “The boy used to work at our house before. He stole keys, a mobile charger, and other important items from the house. Yesterday evening, he was spotted in Ali Bazar and was brought in front of the house. His father was also called and questioned. Later, in the morning, I heard about his death.”
Hatiya Police Station OC AKM Azmal Huda said, it is not yet confirmed whether this is a murder or suicide. Investigation is ongoing. The body has been sent to Noakhali General Hospital for autopsy. Further steps will be taken after receiving the report.
