Man dies in ‘beating’ outside Cox’s Bazar bar after another stabbed to death inside

A young man has died after allegedly being beaten by a group of people outside the Renaissance Hotel in Cox’s Bazar city shortly after another young man was stabbed to death inside the hotel bar, police say.

Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police Ahidur Rahman said the young man, identified as Md Solaiman Salman, was beaten outside the bar on Thursday night. 

He died early Friday while being taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital in “critical condition”.

Solaiman was a resident of the BGB Camp area.

Around 11:30pm on Thursday, a young man named Md Rashed was killed in a clash at the Renaissance Hotel bar following an argument. He was a resident of Nuniarchar in the city.

Police said that during an argument among several people, one side called a young man from outside to the scene. Preliminary investigation found that the young man was carrying a knife.

As of Friday afternoon, no party had filed a case over the incidents, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Wahidur Rahman said. 

He, however, said a case could be filed after the funeral prayers on behalf of one of the dead.

Stabbing Took Place Inside the Bar

Describing the incident, ASP Wahidur Rahman said: “During an argument among several people inside the bar, one of them called a young man from outside.”

“The young man had a knife. Later, as he was leaving the bar, he stabbed a person. He then went downstairs.”

Police have not yet been able to confirm the identity of the young man who was called in from outside.

ASP Wahidur said, “Efforts are under way to identify those involved by examining the CCTV footage from the bar. Since most of them are local residents, police have an idea about their identities.”

“However, the detailed identity of that young man has not yet been confirmed.”

The police official said he was not willing to disclose the young man’s name in the interest of the investigation.

Counterattack After Stabbing

According to the ASP, the second phase of the incident took place outside the bar.

“After the stabbing, those involved left the scene and news of the incident spread locally. Police have learned that people from Rashed’s side, the first victim, went to the scene and launched an attack. At that time, a large number of people gathered at the scene and became agitated,” he said. 

“Solaiman Salman was beaten and taken to the Fisharighat area. When informed, police rescued Salman from Fisharighat in critical condition and took him to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, doctors advised that he be transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.”

What Led to the Two Deaths?

It is still unclear what triggered the initial dispute. ASP Wahidur said police were investigating whether the two sides, who are both local residents, had any previous dispute.

The police officer also said that no party had filed a case as of Friday afternoon.

He said, “The relatives of the dead are currently busy with the bodies, so it is taking some time to file cases. There is a possibility that a case will be filed after the funeral prayers on behalf of the first victim.”

Meanwhile, police said the body of the young man killed in the counterattack was being brought back from Chattogram. As a result, it may take more time for his side to file a case.

Questions Over Bar Security, Entry Procedures

As the incident occurs, questions emerge about who entered the Renaissance Hotel bar and whether they had valid permits.

Immediately after the incident, the ASP said police had received information that several people without permits were present in the bar at the time.

However, an employee of the bar claimed that permits are checked when customers enter, in accordance with the rules.

He also claimed that on Thursday, people who did not have permits were asked to pay their bills and leave the premises.