Sirajganj, Mar 18 — A man died after setting himself on fire at the remote Gotiar village river island to escape arrest on Wednesday afternoon, police said. The deceased was identified as Jewel Ahmed (30), son of Alam. His father was a notorious robber in Guitar.
Police’s Sadar Circle Additional Superintendent Snigdha Akhtar described Jewel as the leader of the area’s motorcycle thieves’ syndicate. He had been on the run for a long time.
He was accused in 11 cases filed at police stations across Sirajganj, Manikganj and Tangail and was wanted in nine of them.
Sadar Police Station’s Sub-Inspector (SI) Mehedi Hasan conducted a raid in Gotiar to arrest Jewel.
The man locked his room from the inside as soon as he saw police approaching his house.
Police and local public representatives requested Jewel to turn himself in but he didn’t accede.
“At one point, he poured petrol on his body and set himself on fire,” said Additional SP Snigdha.
Attempts are underway to recover his body. – UNB
