3 Bystanders Die in Pabna Arson Attack Following Schoolgirl's Murder

Three bystanders have died from severe burn injuries sustained during an arson attack on the homes of the accused in the Riya rape and murder case in Pabna Sadar Upazila.

Two victims succumbed to their injuries at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on Tuesday (June 9) morning. Another victim passed away at the same hospital on Monday (June 8) afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as Sumon Sheikh from Purba Raghabpur, Saiful Islam Sabbir from Notun Para, and Sapu from the same area. All three were residents of Barara Union.

According to police and local sources, the body of 15-year-old Riya Khatun, a 9th-grade student, was recovered in a sack from the Padma River on June 3. Following her burial on June 4, an agitated crowd vandalized and set fire to the homes of the accused.

None of the accused were present during the attack. However, a gas cylinder inside one of the houses exploded during the fire, critically burning several neighbors and curious onlookers who had gathered at the scene.

Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tariqul Islam confirmed the three deaths, stating that legal proceedings regarding the arson incident are currently underway.

Earlier in the week, police arrested three suspects in connection to Riya's death, including her alleged boyfriend, Naim. According to police, the suspects have confessed to raping and killing the teenager.