Police recovered the throat-slit body of a Sexagenarian auto-rickshaw driver from a deserted field in Gangachara upazila on Friday night, sparking panic over a recent surge in violent crimes across the district.
The deceased was identified as Mokhlesur Rahman, 60, of Nabanidas village. He was the sole breadwinner for his wife, one son and two daughters.
According to police and locals, a local youth found Rahman's body around 11:30 p.m. under a banyan tree near a police officer's home in Gojoghanta Shantipara. On information, police and crime scene investigators recovered the body. Rahman’s auto-rickshaw was missing and is suspected to have been hijacked.
The victim’s nephew, Abdul Kuddus, said Rahman had driven an auto-rickshaw for 20 to 25 years. He suspected Rahman was killed during a scuffle with hijackers.
The murder has heightened anxiety in Rangpur, which has recorded 11 killings within the last 14 days, including an unresolved quadruple family murder.
Abdur Sabur, Gangachara Police Officer-in-Charge (OC), said drives are underway to recover the vehicle and arrest the killers.