Bangladesh police arrest suspect after fatal beating over bananas

A 45-year-old man was beaten to death in southeastern Bangladesh after confronting a youth over the alleged theft of bananas, police said Saturday.

The attack occurred around midnight in the Monaf Hajipara area of Patiya upazila in Chattogram district.

Police identified the victim as Mohammad Toha, also known as Toha Munsi, general secretary of the local Munsi Association.

Police and residents said Toha questioned Mohammad Anwar after seeing him outside his home late at night following the alleged theft of bananas from a tree. An argument followed, and Anwar and several associates allegedly attacked Toha with sticks.

Residents took Toha to Patiya General Hospital, where a doctor pronounced him dead.

Sub-inspector Mohammad Mahbub said police arrested Anwar after the attack and were searching for others. Toha’s body was sent for an autopsy, and police were preparing a murder case.