Youth beaten to death over alleged extortion in Cumilla

Police say locals claimed the victim, Sayem, was involved in extortion, theft and robbery in the area

A youth has been beaten to death over alleged extortion in Cumilla’s BSCIC industrial area.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening at the Jannat Food factory inside the Phulmoti building at Ashoktala neighbourhood.

Police later recovered the body from the scene and sent it to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, said Kotwali Model Police chief Mahinul Islam.

The victim, identified only as Sayem, 22, lived with his father Aminul Islam, a rickshaw driver, in a rented flat near Didar Market.

His ancestral home is in Rangpur.

According to the officer, locals alleged Sayem was involved in extortion, theft and robbery. “We are investigating the matter. Legal steps will follow,” he said.

Factory workers claimed Sayem and his associates frequently collected money from industrial units and were also linked to theft and muggings.

They said, around 4pm Thursday, he entered the factory, where workers beat him up and detained him. When his associates arrived, commotion ensued.

By evening, locals gathered and assaulted him again, leaving him dead at the scene. Police engaged in an altercation with his associates upon arrival but later removed the body once order was restored.