Farmer beaten to death over cow eating sapling

A farmer was allegedly beaten to death in Mohanganj, Netrokona, following a dispute over his cow eating a neighbour’s tree sapling.

The deceased was identified as Tota Mia, 40, of Komalpur village in Samaj-Sohildeo union. He died while undergoing treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital around 9:30 PM on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening in the Samaj-Sohildeo area. Police and locals said Tota was returning home with his cattle from the haor when one of his cows ate a neighbour Rabi Mia’s sapling. An argument broke out between the two. At one point, Rabi allegedly cut down a papaya tree belonging to Tota.

The dispute later turned into a fight, during which Rabi allegedly attacked Tota with a long pointed bamboo pole used to carry paddy. Tota suffered serious injuries to his head and body and fell to the ground.

Locals took him to Mohanganj Upazila Health Complex. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on Sunday, where he later died.

Rabi has been on the run since the incident, and his mobile phone was found switched off.

Mohanganj Police Station OC Hafizul Islam said police collected evidence from the scene. He said the body would be handed over to the family after an autopsy in Mymensingh. Police are trying to arrest the accused.

-AJM