POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after a prominent member of Hyde’s Bangladeshi community died in hospital after he was victim of a carjacking in Stockport on Friday night.
Newton-based Haji Mohammed Hedayetul Islam, who was known as Nowab Miah, was a partner in the Marple Spice restaurant in Marple.
Mr Miah had been making a delivery to Hazel Avenue, Romiley, when police called to a report of a road traffic collision at the junction of Lyme Grove shortly after 9pm on Friday.
They said it is believed a vehicle was taken from a 53-year-old man during a robbery which was then in collision with the victim shortly afterwards.
Mr Miah, who was a committee member and former secretary of the Hyde Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre, was admitted in a critical condition to Salford Royal where he died on Sunday afternoon.
Mosque vice-chairman Mizanur Rahman described the shock saying the “community was shattered”.
He said: “I have known him for more than 30 years and he was a nice person who was an active community member and did a lot of charity work.
“He had lived in Hyde for more than 40 years and, having worked in restaurants, became a partner in Marple Spice.”
Mr Rahman, a director and North West president of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) offered his condolences on behalf of that organisation.
Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, offered his sympathy to the family of the father of three.
He said: “I’m very sorry to learn of the death of Nowab Miah who tragically passed away after a carjacking on Friday night in Romiley.
“Mr Miah was just doing his job, delivering a takeaway at the time of this awful attack. My thoughts are with Mr Miah’s family, friends, the emergency respondents who attended the scene on Friday, and the NHS staff who treated him in hospital over the weekend. It is terribly sad.”
His son Shaf Nowab posted on Facebook: “I am saddened to announce that my father, my mentor, my role model Haji Mohammed Hedayatul Islam, known as Nowab Miah to his friends, has sadly left this world surrounded by close family.
“Many of you will be aware of the recent incident that occurred in Romiley.
“My father is the person that it occurred with. He was just doing his last delivery for our restaurant before he went home.”
It is a measure of the esteem in which Mr Miah was held that a GoFundMe page was set up and within hours more than £6,000 was raised.
The page reads: “As a community we are all saddened to hear that a precious life has been lost.
“Donations will be used towards fulfilling the wishes of the gentleman, who especially wanted to help the children of Bangladesh.”
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of robbery. He remains in custody at this time.
Detectives are continuing to look for a silver Mercedes which they believe was stolen.
Chief Inspector Liam Boden, of GMP’s major incident team, said: “This is an extremely tragic case which has rocked the community and left a family utterly devastated.
“We believe there may have been others involved in the incident and a number of lines of enquiry are continuing to be carried out in order for us to find those responsible.
“We’re still asking the public to come forward with any information that may assist us – even the smallest bit of information can prove vital.
“Anyone who may have seen a silver Mercedes in the area at the time or may have seen it in suspicious circumstances since is asked to get in touch – this vehicle could prove vital in our investigation.
“We’re also keen for anyone with any CCTV or dash-cam footage to get in touch.
“Anyone with information should call 0161 856 9821 or 0161 856 9790 quoting log number 2499 of 08/01/2021. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”