Elderly man 'murdered over refusal to attend arbitration'

An elderly man was allegedly beaten and forcibly drowned in a pond after refusing to attend a local arbitration at Dashmina upazila in Patuakhali. 

The incident occurred on Sunday morning at Nehalganj village under Baharampur union's ward No. 6.

The deceased was identified as Shahidul Islam, 66, son of Abdul Quader Hawlader and a resident of the village.

Locals reported that Sahidul Howlader had been pressuring his father and the victim Nurul Islam Howlader, to transfer property ownership for some time. When Nurul refused, Sahidul filed a complaint with local leaders. As a result, Rahim Bepari, Sohag Member, Shahjahan Mridha, Kaiyum, and Monju Chowkidar reportedly came to Nurul's home to force him to attend the arbitration. 

Upon his refusal, they allegedly attacked him, throwing him into a nearby pond and forcing him underwater, leading to his death. Realizing he was dead, they reportedly fled the scene on motorcycles.

Dr. Rahul Bin Halim from Dashmina Upazila Health Complex confirmed that Nurul Islam was brought to the hospital as dead.

According to Manju Rari, a village police from Baharampur Union, he was instructed to bring Nurul Islam to the arbitration. When Nurul refused, Sohag Member allegedly dragged him out of his home and started the assault.

Attempts to contact the accused have been unsuccessful, as they are reportedly in hiding, with their phones switched off.

Dashmina Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Abdul Alim said, "The body has been properly documented and sent for autopsy at Patuakhali General Hospital. Efforts to arrest the accused are ongoing and a case is in the process of being filed."