A witness was killed in a clash between two groups of people in Gabtali upazila of Bogra as he refused to withdraw a case.
The deceased was identified as Abu Bakkar Siddique, 56, former NGO worker and son of late Abdus Sattar of Jathalita Middle Para village in Nepaltali Union of Gabtali upazila.
Gabtali Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Abu Musa Sarkar said at least eight people from both sides were also injured in the clash. Police have arrested four people in connection with the killing.
The incident occurred on Monday evening at Jathalita Madya Para village under Nepaltali Union of the upazila. According to police and local sources, a long-standing dispute over land and homestead boundaries had existed between Ataur Rahman, son of late Azizur Rahman of the same village, and Montu, Babul, and Mamun—sons of late Bulu Pramanik.
About one and a half years ago, a clash between the two sides over this dispute left a man named Ershad seriously injured. Ershad’s brother Ataur Rahman subsequently filed a case with Gabtali Police Station against the attackers. The case is currently under trial in court, and Abu Bakkar Siddique was the principal witness. The accused had been threatening Siddique to withdraw the case.
On Monday evening, the opposing group allegedly attacked the house of Ataur Rahman. Upon receiving the news, witness Abu Bakkar Siddique and complainant Ataur Rahman set out for the house on a motorcycle from Buruj Bazar. On the way, the accused, who had been lying in wait, attacked the motorcycle. They struck Siddique on the head with sticks or iron rods, causing fatal head injuries. He died on the spot.
Five of the injured--Jemi Begum, 35, Shifa Khatun, 25, Brishti Khatun, 15, and their father Ataur Rahman, 55 were admitted to Gabtali Upazila Health Complex while four others--Montu, Mamun, Majeda, and Rubi--were admitted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital.