A tragic incident in Sunamganj district, Bangladesh, has highlighted the devastating consequences of harassment over a minor debt. A young man ended his life after allegedly facing physical and verbal abuse from a local shopkeeper.
Altercation Over a Small Debt
On Friday, in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj, 21-year-old Joy Mohapatra took his own life. The incident is reported to have stemmed from a dispute over a debt of just Tk 500. According to his grieving family, Joy had purchased a mobile phone from a neighbouring shopkeeper, Amirul Islam, for Tk 5,500 and owed the remaining Tk 500.
Family's Account of Harassment and Assault
Joy's mother, Shelly Mohapatra, provided a harrowing account of the events leading to her son's death. She stated that when Joy could not repay the money in the morning, Amirul Islam confiscated his mobile phone. Later, when Joy returned to ask for his SIM card, he was told to come back in the evening.
"When my son went there again, Amirul locked the door and slapped him," alleged Shelly Mohapatra. She claims her son returned home deeply distressed and soon collapsed. "Saliva was coming out of his mouth. My son had consumed poison bought from that shop," she told the media, directly blaming the shopkeeper's actions for pushing her son over the edge.
Demand for Justice and Broader Implications
The family firmly believes that Amirul Islam's insulting behaviour and provocation led to Joy's extreme step. This case has sent shockwaves through the local community in Dirai upazila, raising serious questions about the pressures faced by youth and the severe impact of public humiliation and violence over financial matters, however small.
While local sources have confirmed the basic facts of the debt and the purchase of the mobile phone, the incident underscores a critical need for addressing mental health distress and resolving conflicts through dialogue rather than intimidation.
