Land Dispute Turns Deadly as Two Arrested Over Barisal Killing

A long-running land dispute is believed to have culminated in the killing of a 39-year-old man who was allegedly lured from his home and murdered in Barisal’s Agailjhara Upazila. Police have arrested two suspects named in the murder case and say efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining accused.

The victim, Jahirul Sikdar, son of Abdur Rashid Sikdar, was a resident of Chhoto Basail village under Rajihar Union in Agailjhara Upazila. The incident took place late on Wednesday night, following an earlier clash between rival groups over disputed land.

According to local residents and police, tensions had existed for a considerable period between Jahirul Sikdar and several members of the same village, including Sintu Sikdar and Sant Sikdar, sons of Anich Sikdar, Jewel Sikdar, son of Jahangir Sikdar, and Jahangir Sikdar, son of the late Chandu Sikdar. The disagreement reportedly centred on ownership and possession of land and had remained unresolved despite repeated local efforts.

The dispute escalated at around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday when members of the opposing groups became involved in a confrontation. Community elders and other respected local figures later intervened and managed to settle the immediate dispute, bringing a temporary sense of calm to the village.

However, according to allegations made by the victim’s family, the earlier settlement did not bring an end to the hostility. Instead, they claim the attack was carefully planned as an act of revenge.

Family members alleged that later that night Jahirul was called out of his home by individuals known to him. Shortly afterwards, his bloodstained body was discovered lying on a road near his residence. Relatives believe he was deliberately lured outside before being fatally attacked, after which the perpetrators abandoned his body and fled the scene.

Following the incident, Jahirul’s wife, Moni Begum, lodged a murder case with Agailjhara Police Station. The complaint names Sintu Sikdar as the principal accused and identifies three other suspects by name, while also including several unidentified individuals believed to have been involved in the killing.

Speaking after the incident, the victim’s elder brother, Enamul Sikdar, said the disagreement that had led to the morning clash had already been resolved through local mediation. He expressed shock that, despite the apparent settlement, his brother was allegedly summoned from his home and brutally murdered later that night. He called for a fair, impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for everyone found responsible.

Police moved swiftly after the case was filed. Officers arrested Sant Sikdar, 22, and Jahangir Sikdar, 58, both of whom are listed as accused in the First Information Report. Investigators said operations are continuing to locate and arrest the remaining suspects.

Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Masud Khan of Agailjhara Police Station confirmed the arrests and said the investigation remains active. He stated that law enforcement agencies are working to establish the precise sequence of events, determine the motive behind the killing, and ensure that all individuals involved are brought before the courts.

Police recovered Jahirul’s body from the roadside and sent it to the morgue at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. After the examination was completed, the body was returned to the family and later buried in the family’s ancestral graveyard in his native village.

Authorities say the investigation is continuing, with detectives gathering evidence and pursuing the remaining suspects as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.