Jhalakathi Jubo League leader's mother dies

Rowshan Ara alias Rani Begum, 65, mother of Shekherhat union Jubo League President Swapan Khan, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital last Tuesday after being shifted from Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

Five of her family members -- Swapan, 35, his wife Rehana Begum, 30, son Fahad, 5, sister Chhabi Begum, 25, and her son Maruf, 4, -- were also injured in the attack.

Police quoting eyewitnesses said the attackers cordoned off the house, locked its doors from outside and poured gasoline all over it before setting it on fire in the early hours of November 21.

Local people said Swapan had enmity with local Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Hassan, a notorious criminal of Jhalakathi accused in several cases including murder.

Meanwhile, police arrested six people -- Sardar Jalil Ahmed, 70, Farid Khan, 60, Sheikh Akkas, 40, Abdus Salam, 32, Sheikh Liton, 24, and Motaleb Howladar, 35 -- in connection with the incident.

Except Jalil and Farid, the four others will be taken on a three-day remand today, police said.