A local leader of Islami Chhatra Shibir was killed and another person seriously injured in an attack allegedly linked to a dispute over the management committee of a government primary school in Gaibandha’s Saghata upazila on Sunday.
The deceased, Saifullah Bari, 24, was president of Bonarpara Union Chhatra Shibir. He was the son of Habibar Rahman Maulana of Shimul Tair Gorosthanpara village and a third-year student in the Al-Quran Department at Satgara Model Kamil Madrasa in Rangpur.
The incident took place around 3:30pm at Bonarpara Chourasta in the upazila, according to police and local sources.
Salahuddin, 30, a friend of the victim and son of Dudu Mia of Futani Bazar area, was critically injured in the attack and later transferred to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura for advanced treatment.
Witnesses, family members and local residents said tensions had been mounting over the formation of the managing committee of Kachua Government Primary School, which has reportedly been operating without a committee for a prolonged period.
The dispute surfaced publicly when several individuals allegedly confronted the school’s head teacher at Bonarpara Bazar over the committee issue. Supporters from both sides later gathered at the scene, leading to a heated argument.
Although local people initially intervened and dispersed the groups, the situation escalated shortly afterwards.
According to witnesses, Saifullah and Salahuddin were attacked with sharp weapons during the confrontation. Both sustained serious injuries.
Family members rushed Saifullah to Gaibandha General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Hospital sources said he likely died from excessive bleeding before reaching the facility.
The accused, Mukul and his brother Palash, are residents of Bati village in Bonarpara Union. Local sources said Mukul previously served as president of Bonarpara Union Jubo Dal.
Mubashwer, a friend of the deceased who was present during the incident, alleged that the attack was carried out in connection with the dispute over the school committee and was not spontaneous.
Gaibandha district Jubo Dal President Ragib Hasan Chowdhury said Mukul had been expelled from the organisation for disciplinary reasons and currently has no affiliation with Jubo Dal.
“Any involvement in criminal activity is an individual’s responsibility and not that of the organisation,” he said.
Saghata Upazila BNP Convener Mohammad Ali said those responsible should be brought to justice regardless of their political identity.
“Anyone found involved in the incident must face legal consequences. BNP will cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ensuring a proper investigation,” he said.
Saghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Pabitra Kumar confirmed the incident and said multiple police teams have been deployed to investigate the killing.
Efforts are underway to identify the full circumstances surrounding the incident and arrest those responsible, he added.
