Man hacked to death over land dispute

SAPAHAR, NAOGAON, Feb 5: A 47-year-old van driver was hacked to death allegedly over a long-standing dispute over ancestral property in Sapahar Upazila of Naogaon.

The deceased, Shahidul Islam, son of late Amir Ali of Goala Kharibona Village, was attacked around 8 pm on Tuesday in the Goala Lakshitala area while returning home on his battery-run van. 

According to police and local sources, the attackers blocked his way by placing bamboo poles on the road and then assaulted him with sharp weapons and sticks, leaving him critically injured.

He was first taken to Sapahar Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he died early Wednesday while undergoing treatment.

Police said the dispute stemmed from a long-running conflict over the division of ancestral property.

Later that night, the rival group allegedly vandalised Shahidul's home and assaulted family members.