Youth Allegedly Assaulted and Hung Upside Down for Theft in Bhaukshar; Local UP Member Arrested
In a shocking incident in Bhaukshar union of Barura upazila in Comilla, a young man was reportedly tied up and hung upside down on the alleged charge of theft. The incident, which was captured on video and later went viral on social media, has led to the arrest of a local UP member by the police.
The victim, identified as Abdul Hannan, 32, hails from Chautta Pukuria village and is the son of Abdul Jabbar. The arrested UP member is Zahirul Islam, who holds the position in Ward No 1 of Bhauksar union.
According to a 59-second video that has been widely shared online, a young man can be seen suspended upside down by a rope, while another individual in blue clothing mercilessly beats him with a stick. The victim pleads for mercy in the distressing footage, surrounded by bystanders.
In response to the incident, Bhauksar UP Chairman Ahmed Zaman Masud stated, The young man is currently in good health. He had previously been accused of theft, and this time, a crowd, including members of Zahir, took matters into their own hands. Someone captured the ordeal on video and posted it on Facebook. However, it is unacceptable to subject him to such torture.
Zahirul Islam, the detained UP member, defended his actions by claiming that several youths, including Hannan, were habitual thieves who caused great inconvenience to local residents. He argued that Hannan had been sent to jail on multiple occasions but would secure bail and resume his stealing activities. Zahirul stated that he had arrested Hannan for questioning, tied his hands and feet, but denied torturing him.
Abdul Quddus, Hannan’s elder brother, recounted that Zahir had contacted him in the morning, informing him of Hannan’s alleged involvement in battery theft. However, he advised Zahirul that if his brother was a suspect, he should be handed over to the authorities rather than being subjected to such inhumane treatment.
Following the uproar over the incident, the police have arrested Zahirul Islam, the UP member of Bhauksar union’s Ward No 1. The authorities have assured that further legal action will be taken based on the complaint filed.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage as people express their concerns over the use of vigilante justice and the violation of basic human rights. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of justice and allowing the legal system to take its course in such cases.
The authorities are now tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure that justice is served and that incidents of this nature are prevented in the future. As this issue gains attention, it is crucial for society to reflect on the need for fair treatment, adherence to the rule of law, and the protection of human dignity.
