Mob beats 'cattle thief' to death

A silent burglar alarm may have prevented the theft of a farmer's cattle in Faridpur but cost another man his life. 

Md Nuruddin, the farmer in question, said yesterday night, at around 3:30am, the alarm was triggered and automatically turned on his bedroom. He instantly understood that someone had entered his compound. He called the villagers for help and they managed to catch one of the thieves. 

The alleged cattle thief was beaten to death by the mob at Sadipur village under Alibad union.

The victim was identified as Russel Sheikh, 27.  A truck driver by profession, he lived with his wife and a son.

Local alleged that Russel and his four associates came to their village on a truck at around 3:00am. The four men then went to the house of one Nuruddin for “stealing his cattle” but Nuruddin's shouts prevented the theft from taking place. At one stage, villagers rushed to the spot and managed to catch Russel and then beat him while the others managed to flee the scene. The villagers also torched the truck. Later, Russel was taken to Faridpur Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

“My son is an expatriate in Singapore and he sent me the device.  If any unknown person enters our house at night a light in my bed room automatically goes up,” Nuruddin said.

Omar Faruk, chairman of Aliabad Union Parishad, said, “Cattle lifting has increased in the union and at least 13 cattle were stolen in the area in the last month, so the locals were aware about the matter and for this reason they caught Russel and beat up him.”

Badana Begum, the victim's sister said, “My brother is a truck driver. They killed my brother without listening to him. I want justice for this murder.”

Sub-inspector of Sadar Police Station Nazrul Islam said “On information we rushed to the spot, we recovered the body and sent it to Faridpur Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy.”

Police informed that no case had been filed by the family of the victim yet and that they would themselves file a case soon.