A 13-year-old schoolboy has been tortured inhumanly allegedly by some local influential people in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha on suspicion of theft.

Rafiqul Islam, a student of eighth grade and resident of Dhumaitari village, was picked up by some people from his house on Saturday suspecting him of stealing a cow on Friday, police said.

Then, they tortured the boy brutally at the house of a local influential Afser Pramanik, and later some others beat up the boy again until police rescued the victim in critical condition, said Abdullaheel Zaman, officer-in-charge of Sundarganj Police Station.

Rafiqul is now undergoing treatment at Sundaraganj Upazila Health Complex, the OC told our Gaibandha correspondent.

Victim’s elder brother Shafiqul Islam later filed a case with the police station accusing 13 persons on Sunday night, the OC said.

Police today conducted a drive in the area and arrested two persons – Rana Mia and Abbas Mia -- in connection with the incident.  

The incident went viral in social media, the other accused reportedly fled away from the area to avert arrest.

Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Solaiman Ali said they discussed the incident in the Upazila Law and Order Committee meeting and the committee decided to ensure stern action against the accused.

The law enforcers have been directed to arrest all the accused without any delay, the UNO added.

Police are conducting drives to nab the other accused in the case, OC Abdullaheel Zaman further said.