Man killed in Patuakhali clash

A man succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday seven days after being hurt in a series of clashes at Dashmina upazila of Patuakhali district.

The clashes took place on January 14 and 15 over a temple�s land dispute between two rival groups of Krishnatantra and Matua.

The deceased was identified as Debangsu Hawlader, 30, son of Amulya Hawlader of the upazila�s Guli Awliapur village. He was a follower of Krishnatantra.

Locals said that the previous enmity over the temple's land stemmed the clash between the rivals on January 14 night and next day morning. During the clash, at least 12 Krishnatantra followers were injured and transferred to Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital. Among them, Devangsu was critically injured and later sent to DMCH.

Following the clashes, a Kirshnatantra follower Bhabaranjan Hawlader filed an attempt to murder case with Dashmina Police Station against Matua�s 27 followers and 50 unknown others on January 15.

Dashmina Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Abdul Alim confirmed the information and assured that investigation is ongoing.

ST