Two minors tied to tree, beaten over ‘theft’ in Netrokona

Police have detained two people after two minors were allegedly tied to a tree and abused in Netrokona’s Madan Upazila over the suspected theft of mobile phones.

The police rescued the two victims and took them into custody after a video of the incident went viral on social media.

The incident occurred near the Madan Municipality Agriculture Office on Wednesday afternoon, according to Nayeem Mohammad Nahid Hasan, chief of Madan Police Station.

The uncle of one of the minor boys filed a written complaint with Madan Police Station. Police then conducted an operation on Thursday, rescuing the two children and detaining two suspects.

The detainees are 26-year-old Sukel Mia of the Agripara area of the municipality and Joynal Mia of the Upazila’s Khaguria area.

One of the two minors hails from Changaon Union while the other lives in Ward No. 3 in the municipality. One is 12 years old while the other is 13.

The viral video showed the two children tied to a coconut tree with rope in broad daylight.

“Three mobile phones were stolen from a bus outside the Madan Municipality Agriculture Office around 2am on Wednesday,” said OC Nayeem. “On Wednesday afternoon, the two children were tied to a coconut tree and abused over allegations of stealing the mobile phones.”

“When the video came to the notice of the police, they rescued the two children, took them to the hospital for treatment, and took them into the custody of the police station.”

Legal action will be taken over the incident, the police official said.