A 65-year-old man was killed and at least 10 others were injured in a violent clash between two rival factions seeking to establish social dominance at Khayerpur village under Alampur Union in Kushtia Sadar Upazila on Saturday morning.
The deceased was identified as Abdul Halim, 65, son of the late Kalam Sardar of Khayerpur village. According to local sources, Halim belonged to the faction led by Yusuf Member.
The clash erupted at around 6:30am between supporters of local union parishad member Mannan and Yusuf Member. Locals reported that a longstanding feud existed between the two factions, with tension brewing over the previous three days, during which several individuals were reportedly blockaded.
Local residents further revealed that repeated attacks and skirmishes had been taking place in the Rajapur Khayerpur area of Alampur Union over the theft of a mosque battery, involving supporters of Mannan Member and Bokul on one side, and Yusuf Member and Mehedi on the other.
According to local accounts, both groups gathered early in the morning near Chapaigachi Beel to engage in a clash. As Abdul Halim stepped out of his house to head towards the location, a spear (fala) hurled from the rooftop of Nazrul, a supporter of Mannan Member, struck Halim directly in the neck.
Halim’s son, Habibur Rahman, stated that the conflict originally began a few days prior when their men were systematically beaten and injured, though the dispute was initially resolved locally.
Recently, however, when one of their men was returning from Alampur in a van, several individuals threatened him with violence. Habibur alleged that under the directives of Bokul, several individuals—including Khalek, Mannan, Sagar, Shafi, Roni, and Joni—were involved in the incident, following which his father was assaulted and critically injured.
Abdul Halim was rushed in critical condition to the Kushtia 250-Bed General Hospital, where the duty doctor declared him dead. His body is currently kept at the hospital morgue.
Kushtia 250-Bed General Hospital Residential Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Iqbal Hossain confirmed Halim’s death and added that another injured person has been admitted and provided necessary medical treatment.
Police have arrested one suspect, identified as Bokul from the Mannan group, for his alleged involvement in the violence.
The situation in the village remains tense following the incident. As the locality lies on the border between two police station jurisdictions, additional forces from Kushtia Model Police Station and Islamic University (IU) Police Station, alongside an SRB team, have been deployed to keep the situation under control.
Kushtia Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Zakir Hossain confirmed the incident and the arrest of one suspect, saying that police operations are ongoing.
Kushtia Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Faisal Mahmud added that the clash stemmed from a dispute over social dominance and confirmed that extra police personnel have been stationed in the area.
