A landlord was allegedly beaten to death by local BNP activists in Narayanganj's Araihazar upazila today following a dispute over rent for a shop space used as a party office.
The victim, Md Jahangir Hossain, 57, hailed from Salmodi Nayapara village.
The incident occurred around 11:30am at Salmodi Bazar after Jahangir demanded rent from local BNP leaders who had set up a party office in his rented shop space, said Khandaker Nasir Uddin, officer-in-charge of Araihazar Police Station.
OC Nasir also said preliminary investigation revealed that the shop space belonged to the victim.
A few months ago, local BNP leaders had established a party office there, he said.
The dispute reportedly intensified when Jahangir demanded rent, leading to an altercation during which he was beaten inside the BNP office.
Jahangir was rushed to the Araihazar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Police said they found injury marks on his body.
"We have received complaints implicating local BNP leader Tota Mia Pradhan, his son, nephews, and several BNP activists. The matter is under investigation," the OC added.
Locals said other BNP leaders also hit the victim with sticks.
Speaking over the phone, the victim's son, Rasel, said shortly after the fall of the Awami League government in August last year, three adjacent shops were merged to establish a BNP party office.
The initiative was led by Tota Mia Pradhan, former president of the Mahmudpur Union unit of BNP and a member of Ward 7 of the same union parishad.
A banner reading "BNP Office – Ward 7, Mahmudpur Union" was hung on the tin-shed structure.
"Without informing us, they set up the party office. Two of the shops belong to my uncles, and they received rent, but we got nothing. Despite several meetings, they refused to pay us. Today, when my father went to ask for the rent, they beat him inside the office," Rasel alleged.
When contacted, Tota Mia's son, Khokon Pradhan, told, "He [Jahangir] tore down our party banner today. During the argument over the issue, my father slapped him, and Jahangir struck back. Other party members were present at that time. In the scuffle, he suddenly fell ill."
Identifying himself as a BNP activist, Khokon added, "We had already decided to vacate Jahangir's shop. But he came today and created a commotion. He was not beaten; he collapsed and died during the scuffle due to a sudden health issue."
Ashraful Amin, resident medical officer of Araihazar Upazila Health Complex, told this correspondent, "The man was brought dead to the hospital. We found a deep injury on his head. Later, upon being informed, a police team arrived at the hospital."
OC Nasir also said the body has been sent to Narayanganj General Hospital for a post mortem examination, and a murder case is in the process of being filed.
Jahangir was the joint general secretary of the Mahmudpur union unit of Jatiyatbadi Matsyajibi Dal, claimed Md Nazrul Islam, president of that union unit of the organisation.
However, Jahangir's son Rasel said, "I never heard that my father held any political position. He wasn't involved in politics. He used to go only if someone called him. He used to run a grocery store, right where the BNP office is now."
FP/MI
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