Tragedy struck Jiotkadirpur village in the Bagha Upazila of Rajshahi district on Monday morning, where a suspected livestock theft ended in a fatal instance of mob violence. One man lost his life while another sustained severe injuries after local residents apprehended and severely assaulted them following an alleged late-night break-in.

The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Shimul Hossain, son of Golam Mostafa, hailing from Jiotkadirpur village within the Pakuria Union. His accomplice, 40-year-old Shamjan Ali, son of Nabin Shaha from the same locality, remains in a critical condition.

According to local sources, the pair allegedly attempted to steal cattle from the residence of Iyar Ali, son of Munsur Ali, situated near Jiotkadirpur School at around 2:30 am on Monday. Upon detecting the presence of the home owner, the suspects attempted to flee the scene. However, vigilant villagers quickly surrounded the area, intercepted the two men, and tied them to a pole to prevent their escape.

As day broke, the situation deteriorated further. Members of the local community subjected the detained individuals to repeated rounds of physical assault. Upon receiving information regarding the incident, authorities managed to retrieve both injured men and transported them to the Bagha Upazila Health Complex. Attending medical staff declared Shimul Hossain dead on arrival, whilst doctors referred Shamjan Ali to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) due to his deteriorating health condition.

Reflecting on the incident, Salauddin Ahmed Litton, a former member of Ward No. 3 in Pakuria Union, stated that both individuals were known substance abusers with no regular employment in the area. He confirmed that the beatings occurred after villagers caught them red-handed during the alleged theft attempt.

• Suprabhat Mandal, Inspector (Investigation) at Bagha Police Station, confirmed that police have sent Shimul Hossain’s body to the Rajshahi Medical College morgue for an autopsy. Meanwhile, the homeowner, Iyar Ali, has formally lodged a complaint regarding the attempted cattle theft, and police investigations into the broader circumstances surrounding the lynching are ongoing.