'Assault on suspicion of theft': Auto-rickshaw driver dies in Munshiganj

An auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death near the Padma Bridge project, in Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj, early today on "suspicion of theft".

The deceased was identified as Julhas Hawlader (35), son of late Hasan Hawladar of Kumarbhog Rehabilitation Center in the same upazila, reports our Munshiganj correspondent.

Meanwhile, police detained 10 people involved in the incident.

Sumon Dev, additional superintendent (Administration and Crime) of Munshiganj police, said the 10 detainees were security personnel appointed for the Padma Bridge project.

The police official said the incident took place near rail pillars no. 3 and 4 at the Padma Bridge site in Kumarbhog area around 1:00am today.

He said 10-12 men beat Julhas with iron rods, leaving him critically injured.

Later, Julhas was taken to Sreenagar Upazila Health Complex where he died around 6am, said the additional SP.

During primary interrogation, the detainees confessed to beating the auto-rickshaw driver as they "suspected him to be a thief", said Sumon Dev.

They are trying to arrest the others involved, added the police official.

Hafizur Rahman, inspector (investigation) of Louhajang Police Station, said no case was filed in this connection till 4pm.

Our correspondent called Padma Bridge project director Shafiqul Islam for comment in this regard but he refused to make any comment.