Upazila vice-chairman detained over 80-year-old’s death after assault in Chuadanga

An 80-year-old man died after he was physically assaulted allegedly by Damurhuda Upazila Parishad Vice-chairman Shahidul Islam in Chuadanga today.

The deceased was identified as Israfil Mondol of Pirkulla village in Damurhuda upazila, reports our Kushtia correspondent.

Police have already detained Shahidul after the incident, said Abdul Khaleq, officer-in-charge (OC) of Damurhuda Model Police Station.

The victim's cousin Naskar Ali said Israfil lodged a complaint with the Damurhuda Model Police Station over a land dispute while his rival Naju Mollah also made a counter-complaint.

An arbitration was held at the police station around 2:00pm to settle the land dispute between the two groups while Vice-chairman Shahidul was present, the OC said.

As the settlement went to Israfil after sorting out the documents, Naju and his supporters misbehaved with Israfil and Shahidul also pressed Israfil to agree to his decision taken in favour of Naju, said Naskar Ali, who was present during the incident.

At one stage, Shahidul, also president of Damurhuda Sadar Union Awami League, became enraged and assaulted Israfil physically when the latter declined to agree with Shahidul's decision and started insulting Shahidul for taking his rival's side.

Israfil collapsed on the road in front of the police station, said Naskar Ali.

He died on the way to Damurhuda upazila health complex, he said.

Tanvir Mohammad Asif, duty doctor of Damurhuda upazila health complex emergency unit said Israfil had been dead on arrival. He said there are injury marks on his body.

Confirming the incident, OC Adul Khaleq further said the body was recovered and sent to the Chuadanga Sadar Hospital morgue.

No case has been filed yet till filing this report around 9:00pm.