Elderly man beaten to death in Barishal arbitration meeting

An elderly man was beaten to death in the presence of police during an arbitration meeting in Charhogla municipality under Mehendiganj upazila, Barishal. Three others were injured in the incident on Sunday afternoon and are receiving treatment at hospital.

Police have arrested Jahangir Hawladar, general secretary of Ward No. 1 of Mehendiganj municipality BNP, on charges of involvement in the incident.

According to witnesses and police sources, there had been a long-standing dispute between two parties over Tk 50,000 owed for house construction. An arbitration meeting was called on Sunday afternoon to resolve the dispute. At one point, an argument between the parties escalated into a clash.

Police arrived at the scene after receiving news of the clash. However, Khorshed Sikder was severely beaten in their presence and critically injured. He was taken to Mehendiganj Hospital, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.

Witnesses said the dispute between Khorshed Sikder and Jahangir Hawladar was long-standing, and the arbitration meeting had been organised to resolve it.

Mehendiganj municipality BNP convener Syed Riaz Shahin said, "Jahangir has been arrested on charges of involvement in the incident. Therefore, he has been temporarily suspended from the party."

Barishal Superintendent of Police A Z M Mostafizur Rahman said police attempted to control the situation during the clash, but Khorshed was injured before their eyes. He later died at the hospital. Three people were injured in the incident, and preparations are underway to file a case.

He further said the body will be handed over to the family after autopsy at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.