Police have arrested the prime suspect in the killing of a teenage boy during a violent clash linked to local power struggles in Raipura, Narsingdi. The suspect, Masum Mia—also known as “China Masum”—was detained nearly six weeks after the incident and later confessed to his involvement before a court on Monday.
According to police officials, Masum Mia, 25, was arrested on Sunday afternoon from the area surrounding Srimangal Railway Station in Moulvibazar district. He is the son of Malek Mia from Sayedabad village in Srinagar Union of Raipura’s char (riverine island) region. Following his arrest, he was brought back to Raipura Police Station and produced before a court, where he reportedly gave a confessional statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, admitting direct involvement in the murder.
The incident dates back to 4 February, when a clash erupted between two rival groups in Sayedabad village. During the confrontation, a teenage boy named Mustakim was fatally shot. Mustakim, a seventh-grade student at a local school, was the son of Masud Rana, a Bangladeshi expatriate working in Saudi Arabia.
Family members said the boy had just woken up and was standing in the courtyard of his home when violence broke out nearby. Amid the exchange of gunfire between the two factions, a bullet struck Mustakim on the left side of his chest. He died at the scene before any medical help could reach him.
The killing triggered widespread outrage in the local community. The following night, Mustakim’s mother, Shahna Begum, filed a murder case with Raipura Police Station. The case named Masum Mia and his father, Malek Mia, as accused along with four to five unidentified individuals.
Background of the Conflict
Police and local residents say the tragedy stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between two influential groups competing for dominance in the char region of Raipura. One faction is reportedly led by Hanif Master, while the opposing side is headed by Ershad Mia.
Early on the morning of the incident, around 6:00 a.m., followers of Ershad Mia allegedly launched an attack on houses belonging to supporters of Hanif Master. Witnesses claim that the attackers were armed with firearms and locally made weapons. Supporters of the rival group quickly gathered to resist the assault, leading to a violent confrontation.
During the chaos, gunshots were fired, and Mustakim was caught in the crossfire.
Key Details of the Case
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Mustakim, 7th-grade student |
| Date of Incident | 4 February |
| Location | Sayedabad Village, Srinagar Union, Raipura |
| Main Suspect | Masum Mia (alias “China Masum”), 25 |
| Arrest Location | Srimangal Railway Station area, Moulvibazar |
| Time to Arrest | 39 days after the incident |
| Legal Development | Confessional statement under Section 164 |
Police Investigation
Law enforcement authorities stated that Masum Mia had been in hiding since the killing. Investigators eventually tracked his location through intelligence sources and technological surveillance. A police team led by Sub-Inspector Mohammad Shafiullah Shikdar, the investigating officer of the case, travelled to Srimangal and conducted the arrest operation.
Raipura Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Mujibur Rahman, confirmed that the accused had given a confessional statement before the court. He added that Masum Mia had previously faced several criminal allegations, including cases related to vandalism and arson.
Police officials said efforts are continuing to locate and arrest the remaining suspects named in the case. Authorities also noted that security monitoring in the area has been strengthened to prevent further clashes linked to the ongoing factional rivalry.
Local residents have expressed hope that swift legal action and the arrest of those responsible will help restore stability to the region and prevent similar tragedies in the future.