A young man has died following an alleged assault by petrol pump workers after a dispute over fuel at a filling station in Jhenaidah town on Saturday night. The incident occurred at around 9:00 pm at Taj Filling Station near the town’s bus terminal area, sparking concern among local residents and prompting an investigation by law-enforcement authorities.
The deceased, Nirab Hossain, 22, was the son of Alimur Biswas of Badurgacha village in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah district. According to officials, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have taken three petrol pump employees—Nasim Hossain, Romijul Islam and Daud—into custody for questioning in connection with the incident.
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Dispute Over Fuel
Friends of the victim reported that Nirab and one of his companions had travelled to Taj Filling Station on a motorcycle to purchase petrol on Saturday evening. Upon arrival, workers at the pump reportedly informed them that there was no fuel available and that the station had closed for the day.
After being turned away, the pair attempted to obtain petrol at another nearby filling station but were unsuccessful. While returning, they passed the same station again and noticed that petrol was apparently being dispensed into bottles. The sight raised questions, as they had earlier been told that no fuel was available.
Nirab and his friend approached the workers and asked why they had been denied petrol if the pump was still selling fuel in containers. According to witnesses and friends of the victim, this exchange quickly escalated into a heated verbal argument.
The situation soon deteriorated into a physical altercation. Nirab Hossain was allegedly beaten by several petrol pump workers during the confrontation.
Collapse and Death
After the incident, Nirab reportedly returned home but soon began to feel unwell. Family members and acquaintances rushed him to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital for treatment. However, doctors were unable to save him.
Dr Sabyasachi Pal Suman, the duty physician at Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, said Nirab died within minutes of arriving at the hospital.
“He passed away shortly after being brought in,” the doctor said. “We observed several injury marks on his body, particularly around the ear and head.”
Authorities indicated that a post-mortem examination would help determine the exact cause of death.
Owner and Authorities Respond
Harun Or Rashid, the owner of Taj Filling Station, said he was in Dhaka at the time of the incident and had only learned about the event afterwards.
“I have heard that an incident took place at the pump,” he said. “However, I am not yet aware of the details.”
Meanwhile, Additional Superintendent of Police Mehdi Imran Siddiqui, commander of RAB-6 in the region, confirmed that an argument between customers and pump workers had taken place over the purchase of petrol.
According to him, the dispute escalated into a physical confrontation. The young man who had come to buy fuel later died after being taken to hospital. Following the incident, three pump employees were detained for questioning.
He added that further details would be clarified after a full investigation.
Key Details of the Incident
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Nirab Hossain (22) |
| Father’s Name | Alimur Biswas |
| Home Village | Badurgacha, Kaliganj, Jhenaidah |
| Incident Location | Taj Filling Station, Bus Terminal Area, Jhenaidah |
| Time of Incident | Around 9:00 pm, Saturday |
| Suspects Questioned | Nasim Hossain, Romijul Islam, Daud |
| Hospital | Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital |
The incident has caused considerable alarm in the area, with local residents calling for a transparent investigation and appropriate legal action against anyone found responsible. Authorities have assured that the matter is under active inquiry and that further steps will be taken once the investigation and medical reports are completed.