Public beating of drug suspect sparks outrage in Brahmanbaria village
Photo Collected
A village arbitration session in Bangladesh’s Brahmanbaria district turned into a scene of public brutality last Thursday, as a man accused of drug trafficking was subjected to a violent assault in the presence of his mother and wife. The incident, which took place in the Narui market of Nabinagar Upazila, was recorded and subsequently circulated on social media, sparking widespread public outcry.
The victim, 40-year-old Obhi Mia, has reportedly faced previous legal action, with police confirming two pending cases against him under the Narcotics Control Act. According to local accounts, residents of Narui village had repeatedly demanded that he cease his alleged drug operations, claiming his activities were fueling addiction among local youth. In response, a local “anti-drug committee” convened a public meeting at the market to address the allegations, eventually resulting in the physical assault.
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A video of the incident, running four minutes and 25 seconds, shows a group of men—identified by locals as Mokarram Hossain, Mohsin Mia, Taju Mia, and Union Parishad member Hanif Mia—blindfolding the victim, tying his hands and feet, and using a pipe to pin his legs before striking him with sticks. Throughout the ordeal, the attackers can be heard interrogating Mia about his past arrests and demanding to know who provided him with support. The act was carried out in front of over a hundred onlookers, many of whom recorded the scene on their mobile phones. Following the assault, Mia was reportedly forced to sign a written undertaking to abandon the drug trade before being released.
Local authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident. Nabinagar Police Station officer-in-charge Morshed Alam Chowdhury stated that while the local committee intended to curb drug activity, the methods employed were excessive and constituted a severe form of vigilante violence.
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Police dispatched officials to the village following the release of the footage, but authorities report that the suspects have since fled the area. Furthermore, the victim and his family have also vacated their home, and police have requested that Mia come forward to cooperate with the formal investigation. Efforts to reach the accused individuals and the victim for comment were unsuccessful, as their contact numbers remained disconnected.
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