Boy tortured on theft charge

A section of local people, including a union parishad (UP) member, 'tortured' a boy inhumanly, bringing charge of stealing sunglasses against him at Shikarpur Bazar in Sharsha upazila of Jessore district early yesterday.

The victim is Zakir Hossain, 14, son of Mojibur Rahman of Narikelbaria village. He was admitted to the upazila health complex.

Police and witnesses said one Sohrab, owner of a tea stall at Shikarpur Bazar, along with his two sons and UP member Abdul tied Zakir to a tree at around 12:30am on charge of stealing a pair of sunglasses.

They later beat the boy with an iron rod and at one stage, poured hot water on him.

Being informed, Kamal Hossain, chairman of Lakkhanpur Union Parishad, rushed to the spot, rescued the boy and sent him to the health complex.

A case was filed, accusing five people, said Enamul Haque, officer-in-charge of Sharsha Police Station.

Police arrested Sohrab and two others.