PNN News Desk | Natore
A prayer imam was reportedly robbed after posting an advertisement on Facebook to sell his used iPhone in Baraigram, Natore. Two young men contacted him claiming they wanted to purchase the phone. They allegedly took him on a motorcycle to an isolated area under the pretext of verifying the iPhone and then assaulted him before snatching the device.
Samiul Islam, 20, was injured in the incident on Tuesday (September 29) night and is currently receiving treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. He is the son of Shahadat Hossain of Thanaikhara village in Nagar Union of Baraigram upazila and serves as the imam of Chargobindapur Natunpara Jame Mosque.
According to police and local sources, one of the two young men contacted Samiul after seeing his Facebook advertisement for an iPhone 13. The man reportedly introduced himself as Hasan Ali from Ishwardi and arrived at Nagar Bazar in Baraigram around 8:30pm on Tuesday with a friend.
The two men inspected the phone at the market and discussed its price with Samiul.
At one point, the two youths allegedly told Samiul that they needed to verify the ownership and other information related to the phone online. They then asked him to accompany them on their motorcycle. Samiul agreed and got on the motorcycle, after which they headed towards Jonail Bazar.
Later, when they reached an abandoned brick kiln near the Chargobindapur area along the Koyen-Jonail regional road, the two allegedly stopped the motorcycle and pushed Samiul onto the road. They then allegedly assaulted him and took away the iPhone he was carrying before fleeing the scene.
Some time later, passersby found Samiul injured and rescued him. He was initially taken to a local private hospital. Later, he was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for better treatment.
Samiul Islam said the two young men had taken him towards Jonail on a motorcycle, saying they wanted to verify the phone. They later stopped at an isolated location, pushed him off the motorcycle and assaulted him before leaving with the iPhone. He said he had informed the police about the incident.
Baraigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shafiqul Islam said police were working to identify those involved in the incident. He added that efforts were underway to arrest the suspects and recover the stolen iPhone.
