Man hacked to death in Madaripur; houses torched after attack

A man was hacked to death inside his home in Madaripur yesterday morning in what police say is part of a long-running dispute over local dominance.

The attack took place around 7:00am in New Madaripur village under Sadar upazila. The victim, Alamgir Hawlader, 55, was taken to Madaripur Sadar Hospital by relatives and locals, where doctors declared him dead.

Confirming the incident, Officer-in-Charge of Madaripur Sadar Model Police Station Abul Kalam Azad said Alamgir was the son of Hafez Hawlader of New Madaripur and is survived by his wife, one son and three daughters.

According to the OC, the killing stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between Moniruzzaman Akter Hawlader, a former municipal commissioner, and his rival Hasan Munshi over local influence.

“The two sides have frequently clashed over influence in the locality and are known as long-time rivals,” OC Azad said.

He added that supporters of Hasan Munshi allegedly entered Alamgir’s home yesterday morning and attacked him with sharp weapons. Alamgir, who was a cousin and supporter of Moniruzzaman, was hacked repeatedly during the assault. His house was also reportedly vandalised and looted.

The two rival groups had earlier clashed on February 13 and February 21 this year, when more than a hundred crude bombs were reportedly detonated during night-time confrontations, police said. Several cases have been filed over previous incidents.

Dr Akhil Sarkar, the duty physician at the emergency department of Madaripur District Hospital, said Alamgir had died before being brought to the hospital.

“There were multiple sharp weapon injuries on different parts of his body. His wrist had also been severed,” the doctor said.

Eyewitness and Alamgir’s elder daughter Joya Akter alleged that one Lavlu Hawlader, along with 15 to 20 others, hacked her father to death with Chinese axes.

OC Azad also said that after Alamgir’s funeral prayers, angry locals attacked several houses belonging to supporters of Hasan Munshi and set them on fire between 8:30pm and 9:00pm yesterday.

“To delay the arrival of law enforcement personnel, trees were reportedly felled across roads to create barricades,” he said.

Police have so far detained two people in connection with the killing -- Masud Bepari and Borhan. Moniruzzaman Akter Hawlader has also been detained for allegedly torching Hasan Munshi’s house later in the evening.

However, no case had been filed as of last night.

Members of Rab, police and the army are jointly working in the area to maintain law and order, OC Azad added.

Hasan Munshi could not be reached for comment.