An elderly man was allegedly beaten to death in the presence of police during an arbitration meeting in the Charhogla municipal area of Mehendiganj upazila in Barisal on Sunday afternoon.
The deceased was identified as Khorshed Sikdar, 65. Three others were injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Police detained Jahangir Hawladar, general secretary of Ward-1 unit of Mehendiganj municipal BNP, on allegations of involvement in the killing.
According to eyewitnesses and police sources, a long-standing dispute had been ongoing between two groups over a payment of Tk50,000 related to house construction. An arbitration meeting was called Sunday afternoon to resolve the issue.
At one stage of a heated argument between the two groups, a clash broke out.
Police rushed to the scene after receiving information. During the clash, Khorshed was indiscriminately beaten and seriously injured in front of police personnel. He was taken to Mehendiganj Hospital, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead.
Eyewitnesses said Khorshed Sikdar and Jahangir Hawladar had been in dispute over the issue for a long time, and the meeting was convened to settle the matter. The killing took place during that meeting.
Mehendiganj municipal BNP convener Syed Riaz Shahin said Jahangir was detained over allegations of involvement in the incident and has been temporarily suspended from the party.
Barisal Superintendent of Police AZM Mostafizur Rahman said he was informed of the matter by Mehendiganj Police Station. He said police tried to bring the situation under control during the clash, but Khorshed was injured in their presence and later died at the hospital.
Three others were also injured, he added, and preparations are underway to file a case.
The body will be handed over to the family after an autopsy at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, the SP said.
