2 tortured over \\\'trifling matter\\\' in Natore

Amid the widespread criticisms over the death of children in torture across the country, two more people, including a teenage boy, have brutally been tortured after being tied with trees over a trifling matter in Baraigram upazila in Natore district. The incident which occurred on Sunday came to light on Tuesday night following the video footage of the incident went viral. The video clip showed Shakil, a teenage boy, and Abu Sama tied with separate trees and being tortured in front of the grocery shop of Bulbul Hossain at Dakkhin Malipara. Witnesses said Bulbul Hossain, reportedly a wayward man, and his associates caught Shakil and Abu Sama and tied them with a tree. Bulbul and his accomplices then inhumanly tortured them suspecting that they stole goods from Bulbul’s shop on July 31. “Following the order of local resident and Saudi expatriate Rabiul Karim, Shakil and Abu Sama had been tied with two betel nut trees and a ‘medieval age type’ torture was unleashed on them on Sunday. They were injured critically,” locals said. During the cruel torture, the duo pleaded innocent and begged mercy. However, the torturers paid no heed to their pleas. Abu Sama was admitted to a local hospital. Condition of Shakil was improving and his parents took him to their residence. Manirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Baraigram Police Station, said after getting the video footage, police conducted a drive at the village to arrest the culprits. However, no one could be nabbed. Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, superintendent of Natore Police, and other high officials visited the spot at the night, according to a news agency.
- mbz