Elderly man killed during prayer, 1 arrested

An elderly man was killed inside a mosque in Srimangal, Moulvibazar during Fajr prayers. The incident took place on Sunday (May 3) morning at the Paschim Laiyarkul Jame Mosque in the upazila. The deceased, Hafiz Ullah (80), is a resident of Paschim Laiyarkul village in Bhunbir union of the upazila. Police have arrested a person named Jasim Mia (30) in this incident.
According to local sources and the police, a person suddenly entered the mosque during Fajr prayers and attacked Hafiz Ullah while he was in prostration. The attacker repeatedly hit him in the eyes, face and head with a ballpoint pen. Locals rescued him in a serious condition and took him to the hospital, where the doctor declared him dead. It is initially believed that he died due to excessive bleeding.
Police said that initial investigation revealed that the accused Jasim wanted to take goods from the deceased’s shop on Saturday. It is believed that the murder may have been committed out of anger over not paying the outstanding amount. However, the real reason for the incident has not yet been confirmed. After the incident, the Srimangal police station inspected the scene and conducted a raid and arrested the suspect Jasim Mia.
Srimangal police station SI Sajeeb Chowdhury said that the specific reason for the murder is not yet known. However, it is known that there was a dispute over non-payment of outstanding money. The incident has created a sensation in the area. Locals have demanded speedy trial and punishment of the culprit.