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The bodies of the other two victims had not reached the village from Dhaka by the time this report was filed at around 7:00pm, as legal formalities were still underway.

According to police and locals, the body of the teenage girl, stuffed inside a sack, was recovered from the Padma on June 3. A case was filed by the victim’s brother on June 4, naming Naim Pramanik as the prime accused, along with two others. All three accused were arrested, and the victim’s funeral was held the same day.

Citing locals, OC Tarikul said that following the funeral, a group of angry locals allegedly set fire to Naim’s house in Purbo Raghabpur village of Sadar upazila.

As the fire spread, a container filled with petrol exploded, leaving at least six people with burn injuries -- most of them neighbours and onlookers who had gathered at the scene, police said, adding that no one from the accused family was present when the fire broke out as they had gone into hiding.

Badsha Alamgir, a resident of the village and a member of the Bharara Union Parishad, said the six burn victims were initially taken to Pabna General Hospital in critical condition. They were then shifted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka for advanced treatment.

“Following the rape and murder of the girl, the villagers have now had to witness a series of tragic deaths over the last few days. The village is completely overwhelmed by grief and anxiety. We are working alongside law enforcement agencies to keep the situation under control.”

Recalling the series of events, he said, “A young girl was allegedly raped and killed by her cousin near her house. As we were returning home after burying her body, we heard a loud explosion from Naim’s house. We rushed to the spot and found several young men lying on the road with severe burn injuries.”

Deceased Sumon’s brother Md Ukil Sheikh yesterday filed a case with Pabna Sadar Police Station against unidentified individuals.

In the case statement, he claimed that after some locals set Naim’s house on fire, his brother, along with five to six others, had gone to the spot to help bring the situation under control.

Md Shakil, a cousin of deceased Sabbir, and Md Imran, the brother of deceased Shapu, claimed the two had only gone to the scene to watch what happened after the fire broke out.

OC Tarikul said an additional police force has been deployed in the village to maintain law and order and prevent further violence, and an investigation into the incident is underway.