In a deeply distressing incident that has sent shockwaves through the local community, a nine-year-old boy was allegedly tortured and beaten to death in Mymensingh’s Haluaghat upazila. The child, identified as Md. Imon, was reportedly murdered by a neighbour following an accusation of stealing betel nuts—a trivial allegation that culminated in a horrific act of violence.
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The Fatal Encounter
The victim, Imon, was the son of Dulal Mia, a resident of Bausa village within the Swadeshi Union. According to local sources and law enforcement, the animosity began several days ago when a neighbour, thirty-two-year-old Atahar Ali, accused the young boy of pilfering betel nuts from his property.
While a local informal arbitration (salish) had previously addressed the matter and imposed a financial penalty on the child’s family, the resolution failed to appease Ali. Witnesses report that on Friday evening, Ali lured the unsuspecting child into his home. Once inside, the boy was reportedly held captive and subjected to a sustained physical assault that ultimately claimed his life.
Police Response and Investigation
By the time the alarm was raised and neighbours gathered at the scene, the suspect had already fled the area. Haluaghat police arrived shortly after to find the child’s lifeless body.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Haluaghat Police Station, Ferdous Alam, confirmed that a team was dispatched immediately upon receiving the report. “We have secured the scene and conducted a preliminary inquest. The body will be sent for a formal post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death,” the OC stated. He further assured the public that legal proceedings are being initiated and a manhunt is underway to apprehend the fugitive suspect.
Case Summary at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Victim | Md. Imon (9 years old) |
| Accused | Atahar Ali (32 years old) |
| Location | Bausa Village, Haluaghat, Mymensingh |
| Alleged Motive | Theft of betel nuts |
| Current Status | Suspect at large; police investigation ongoing |
A Community in Mourning
The tragedy has ignited a conversation regarding the vulnerability of children and the dangers of “vigilante justice” over minor disputes. Neighbours described Imon as a typical young boy and expressed outrage that such a disproportionate level of violence was used against a minor.
The local administration has called for calm while the police continue their search for Atahar Ali. For the family of young Imon, the focus remains on seeking justice for a life cut tragically short over a handful of fruit.