12 dead in month of World Cup-related violence, accidents

Bangladesh may be absent from the FIFA World Cup, but the tournament has proved fatal at home.
Between 9 June, when the first World Cup-related death was reported, and 8 July, at least 12 people were killed and several injured in incidents linked to the tournament.
The incidents ranged from fatal rivalry disputes to electrocutions, road accidents and campus clashes.

Five killed in supporter disputes
The latest fatality occurred in Cumilla on Tuesday night, when 32-year-old Shariful Islam, an Egypt supporter, was allegedly attacked by two Argentina supporters following an argument during the Argentina-Egypt match at Dhanpur village.
He died at Cumilla Medical College Hospital.
Cumilla Kotwali Model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Touhidul Anwar said police were working to identify and arrest those responsible.
In Ashulia, 15-year-old Nahid Hasan was allegedly stabbed to death on 29 June after a dispute over the Brazil-Japan match.
His family claimed four Brazil supporters called him out of his house before killing him and burying his body in sand.
Ashulia police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Tarikul Islam confirmed legal proceedings were underway.
In the capital’s Adabor, BNP leader Abul Bashar Badshah, 30, was hacked to death on 1 July after a Brazil-Japan dispute that local arbitration had failed to settle.
Fellow activist Saddam Hossain was seriously injured in the same attack.
Six people have now given confessional statements in the case, the latest from main accused Parvez before a Dhaka court on Monday, according to Sub-Inspector (SI) Mizanur Rahman of the prosecution division, who was assisted in the investigation by Adabor police station Sub-Inspector (SI) Hafizur Rahman.
The same day, in Sylhet’s Zakiganj, 28-year-old Alam Ahmad was stabbed to death by his cousin during an argument over a match.
Zakiganj police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdur Razzak said the victim’s elder brother filed a case, and police arrested the accused that night and recovered the weapon.
In Narail, 65-year-old Mostafa Kazi was hacked to death on 3 July, days after a dispute triggered by a match between two villages.
Narail Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ajay Kumar Kundu said a case was filed against 28 people by the victim’s son, and Jakir Molla, 30, was later arrested in Gopalganj.

Two electrocuted flying flags
In Mymensingh’s Gafargaon, eighth-grader Mahin Sheikh died on 19 June when a bamboo pole holding a Brazil flag touched a power line.
Pagla police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aminul Islam confirmed the incident.
In Chattogram, 20-year-old Ramhari Baishnab died on 15 June after coming into contact with an electric wire while hanging an Argentina flag at Laldighi Par.
Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aftab Uddin confirmed the incident.
In Manikganj, 17-year-old Faisal Hossain was electrocuted on 9 June while climbing a mango tree to fix a Brazil flag at his workplace.
Manikganj Sadar police station Sub-Inspector (SI) Abdul Mannan said the teenager died after coming into contact with a high-voltage power line.

Road accidents and other tragedies
In Bhola’s Borhanuddin, 35-year-old Babul Islam died on 13 June when his motorcycle crashed into a roadside pillar en route to a Brazil supporters’ procession.
Borhanuddin police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moniruzzaman confirmed the incident.
In Chattogram, NCP leader Fayaz Tajrian, 26, died on Tuesday after his motorcycle struck a stationary covered van while heading to watch the Argentina-Egypt match.
Chattogram Metropolitan NCP office secretary Ridwan Hridoy blamed rain, darkness and non-functioning flyover lights for the accident. Separately, 20-year-old Mahidul Islam died on 3 July after a metal goalpost fell on him while celebrating a goal in Chattogram.
Chattogram Medical College Hospital police outpost Assistant In-charge Sohel Rana confirmed he was declared dead after being taken to hospital.
In Barguna’s Taltali, Argentina supporter Khokon Karmakar collapsed and died on 3 July moments before a friendly match between Brazil and Argentina supporters.
Taltali Upazila Health Complex Resident Medical Officer Dr Sabyasachi Das Sani said he had died before reaching hospital.

Clashes on campuses
At Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Tangail, at least ten people, including an assistant proctor, were injured on Tuesday night in clashes over seating before the Argentina-Egypt match.
University Proctor Dr Monir Morshed said a minor dispute had triggered the clashes.
At Jashore University of Science and Technology, students from two departments clashed during the same match.
Journalists covering the incident alleged they were assaulted and their phones targeted.
University Proctor Dr Hamidur Rahman said the university was reviewing evidence.

Experts urge restraint
Detective Branch (DB) Chief and Additional Police Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said police were monitoring large-screen screenings across Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) jurisdiction and urged supporters to celebrate responsibly.
Criminologist Dr Omar Faruk, professor at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, attributed the violence to eroding social values and loss of self-control. He added that late-night matches often coincided with drug use, and called for greater public awareness and active police patrols at large gatherings.

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