Mob lynches suspected robber in Pirojpur

The robbery gang tried to flee with approximately 58.3 grams of gold, 93.28 grams of silver, a smartphone and Tk 13,500 in cash

Locals have beaten a man suspected of being a robber to death in Pirojpur’s Sadar Upazila.

Another person has been injured in the incident.

The incident took place around 1:30am on Sunday in Paschim Durgapur village of the Upazila, said Pirojpur Sadar Police Station chief (OC) Rabiul Islam.

The details of the dead man’s identity have yet to be determined. However, police said that the injured Sabuj Hawlader, 55, lives in Dehergati village in Barishal’s Babuganj Upazila.

Police said that a gang of six to seven robbers armed with makeshift weapons entered the house of Anukul Roy in West Durgapur village on Saturday night. They held people outside the house hostage at gunpoint and intimidated them to open the door.

Later, when the houseowner was forced to open the door, they entered the house and took Anukul's entire family hostage. They injured his daughter, primary school teacher Rinku Roy, by hitting her in the head.

Later, the robbers tried to grab approximately 58.3 grams of gold, 93.28 grams of silver, a smartphone and Tk 13,500 in cash before fleeing.

After hearing the family’s screams, neighbouring villagers came forward and were able to nab two members of the gang. The rest fled the scene. The locals became agitated and beat the two detainees, injuring them seriously.

OC Rabiul said that police reached the spot around 2:30am after the incident was reported, rescued the two injured and took them to the Pirojpur District Hospital. There, the doctor declared one dead and admitted the other to the hospital.‎

The rest of the robbers have fled, and efforts are under way to arrest them. Legal action is being taken in this regard, the police officer said.