Man hacked to death over ‘drug money’ in Bhola

Locals say the man’s son was previously attacked by a group in a drug-related dispute

A farmer has been hacked to death in Bhola’s Charfesson Upazila after allegedly protesting an attack on his son in a feud over “drug money”.

The incident occurred on Kalerhat Road in Ward No. 5 of Rasulpur Union around 9:30pm on Saturday, according to Md Fakhrul Islam, chief (OC) of Shashibhushan Police Station.

The victim has been identified as Abdur Rahim Bhutto, 45, from the Kalerhat area.

Citing locals, police said that a group attacked Rahim with sharp weapons on Kalerhat Road, leaving him grievously injured.

Locals then took him to Charfesson Upazila Health Complex, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.

Bhutto's family alleged that his son Amir Hossain had a row with two local men, Md Amjad Hossain and Bellal, over money. Amir was called on Friday afternoon to settle the dispute and then beaten up.

His family rescued him and admitted him to Charfesson Hospital. On Saturday, the doctor there referred him to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Some locals, on the condition of anonymity, said that the two men had originally given Amir Tk 4,000 to buy drugs. However, Amir kept the money and did not give them the drugs, sparking a dispute.

Rahim’s cousin Md Firoz said that he was sitting and having tea with him at Kalerhat Bazar after Saturday evening when Amjad and Bellal came and asked Rahim why his son had not returned their money.

Rahim then spoke out about the beating of his son and got into an argument with the two men. Other people at the market calmed the youths and sent them away.

An hour later, Rahim had been hacked to death, Firoz said.

Amjad and Bellal have been in hiding since the incident and have not commented on the allegations.

OC Fakhrul said Bhutto's body was recovered after the incident was reported. After the post-mortem examination, it will be sent to Bhola.

An investigation is under way to find the motive for the murder and identify the assailants.

The killing in the wake of the 13th parliamentary elections has raised tensions in the area, with locals anxious and afraid for their security.