A local BNP leader has been accused of beating a farmer in Bhangura upazila of Pabna. The farmer, Jamil Hossain (50), died approximately four hours after the alleged assault.
Jamil, originally from Harina village in Rajshahi’s Bagha upazila, had moved to Kaidanga village in Bhangura about 20 days ago with his family to work as a seasonal rice thresher.
The accused, Yusuf Ali, is the senior joint convener of the Sadar Union BNP and a former member of the Swechchhasebak Dal.
According to the deceased's son-in-law, Abdul Kader, Yusuf Ali approached Jamil at around 4:30 pm on Saturday, demanding he immediately thresh his paddy. When Jamil asked for a little time, Yusuf reportedly grew furious, snatched the keys to the threshing machine, and allegedly used them to beat Jamil. Yusuf then forced Jamil to thresh three bighas of paddy.
Kader stated that after finishing the work, Jamil returned to his rented home at around 6:30 pm feeling deeply unwell. He went to bathe in a nearby river to refresh himself but collapsed and died on the spot upon returning. Kader noted that Jamil had pre-existing respiratory issues.
Following the death, Yusuf Ali's associates allegedly pressured the family to remove the body quickly. However, local residents intervened and informed the Bhangura Police Station, who quickly arrived to recover the body.
Attempts to reach Yusuf Ali for comment were unsuccessful; his mobile phone was switched off, and he was not found at his residence. Bhangura Upazila BNP convener Nur-Mujahid Swapan stated he was unaware of the incident.
Sub-Inspector Subrata Kumar of Bhangura Police Station, who prepared the initial inquest report, noted minor cuts and bruises on the back of Jamil’s head, likely from a fall or blunt impact. No other injury marks were visible on the body.
Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sakiul Azam confirmed the body has been recovered. "The body is being sent to the Pabna General Hospital morgue for an autopsy. Further legal action will be taken once we receive the medical report," he said.
