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Bangladeshi on trial for hacking compatriot to death after illicit cigarette syndicate clash

Photo from Google Street View
Photo from Google Street View

SINGAPORE — A violent feud between competing syndicates over illegal cigarette sales at a foreign worker dormitory in Tuas ended with the leader of one faction being hacked to death in 2016.

Opening the trial into the murder of 32-year-old Bangladeshi Munshi Abdur Rahim, the prosecution said on Thursday (9 January) that the illicit business had flourished in Tuas View Dormitory, with the field adjacent to the dormitory carpark dubbed in documents as the “crown jewel” for raking in the most sales.

Miya Manik, the 30-year-old Bangladeshi accused of murder, was part of the main syndicate that held sway over the field, located at 70 Tuas South Avenue 1. He operated under the guidance of two others - Sohel Rana Abdul Kadir and Ahmed Kayes @ Toton.

However, members from a competing faction, including Munshi, vied for control over the field.

On 23 September 2016, the two syndicates clashed, with a peddler from Munshi’s syndicate getting injured, said the prosecution.

“In the early evening of 24 September 2016, the simmering tension came to a boil when Munshi’s syndicate attacked a member of the main syndicate,” the prosecution told the court.

Hours later, 10 to 15 members of Miya’s syndicate were mobilised to wrest back control. Preparations were made for a bloody showdown, with Miya and other members arming themselves with choppers and wooden poles, said Deputy Public Prosecutors Andre Chong, Kumaresan Gohulabalan and Grace Chua.

Upon reaching the field, Miya’s group confronted Munshi over his syndicate’s presence at the field. When Munshi fled, Miya and two others - known in court documents as Aziz and Mitho - followed behind, brutally attacking Munshi as he fell to the floor. Aziz and Mitho remain at large.

Miya allegedly hacked repeatedly at Munshi’s left leg, causing a 4cm-deep wound. The other two slashed Munshi’s torso. Munshi managed to stand and stumbled a short distance away, while his three attackers fled. The assault was captured by an in-vehicle camera of a bus.

Said the prosecutors, “(Munshi) eventually succumbed to the fatal wound to his left leg, which the accused had intentionally inflicted. (Miya) and his syndicate had regained control over the field, albeit at the price of a life.”

For their roles in the clash, seven accomplices, including Toton, have been convicted and sentenced for rioting, while Sohel was given a stern warning for the same offence.

After learning about the death of Munshi, Miya and his accomplices checked into a hotel in Geylang to avoid police arrest, according to the prosecution.

Miya then stayed at a friend’s residence from 27 to 29 September 2016. He was arrested in Tampines on 30 September.

In a statement given to the police on 13 October 2016, Miya admitted to being one of the three who had attacked Munshi. He confessed to hitting Munshi’s feet, and had picked up the chopper to resume his attack even after he dropped it.

He also identified himself as the man wearing the cap - the one shown to be hacking Munshi in the leg - in the in-vehicle footage that captured the assault.

The trial continues on Friday afternoon.

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