Liton Sikder, also known as Litu, a former joint-organising secretary of the BNP’s Barishal city unit volunteer wing (Swechhasebak Dal), was beaten and hacked to death on Thursday night in the Bilbaria area of Lakutia, under Barishal Sadar upazila.
On Thursday afternoon, around 25–30 men from a rival group attacked Liton in the Mukherjee Bari area, beating him to death on the spot. When his sister and another individual tried to intervene, they were also attacked. Both have been admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH).
Locals said the murder may be linked to longstanding disputes involving control over dredger operations, extortion, and local dominance. Just five days earlier, Liton allegedly gave his brother-in-law an electric shock, which angered residents after the news of the incident spread in the area. He had also reportedly been in conflict with another local Swecchasebak Dal leader.
Barishal Metropolitan Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zakir Sikder said the initial investigation suggests the killing was the result of previous enmity. The body has been sent to the morgue and the injured are receiving treatment.
He added that police are present at the scene and operations are underway to arrest those involved in the attack.