A tragic incident occurred in Barishal Sadar Upazila as a 60-year-old BNP activist was brutally murdered, raising concerns over local disputes escalating into deadly violence. The victim has been identified as Delwar Hossain Chowdhury, son of the late Nazir Chowdhury, a resident of Uttar Korapur village.
According to local sources, Delwar was a leaseholder of Bausher Hat market and an active member of the Upazila BNP. His body was recovered on Wednesday night at around 11:45 pm from a roadside pond in the Raipasha-Korapur union.
Mizanur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Airport Police Station, confirmed the discovery and stated that authorities are investigating the matter.
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Discovery of the Body
Local village police officer, Md. Osman, provided further details of the discovery. While patrolling the Bausurhat-Kashipur road near Shibpur Badamtala, an auto-rickshaw driver noticed a bicycle and a muffler lying on the roadside. The driver reported it to a nearby Union Parishad (UP) member, who then informed the UP chairman.
Osman said, “The chairman subsequently directed me to the scene. Upon arrival, I found Delwar’s body submerged in the pond.”
Evidence and Motive
Delwar’s body bore a sharp weapon wound on the right side of his head. Notably, his mobile phone and a sum of BDT 152,000 in cash remained intact, suggesting that robbery was not the motive. Local authorities and UP members suspect the murder arose from a longstanding land dispute.
UP member Habibur Rahman Mintu noted that Delwar had previously been involved in conflicts over property, and tensions surrounding these disputes had led to violent confrontations. Tragically, Delwar’s father, Nazir Chowdhury, had also been murdered in a similar land-related conflict.
A local resident, Azadi, explained that Delwar had left for his in-laws’ residence after collecting market lease payments. It is alleged that he was attacked in the isolated Badamtala area, stabbed, and then thrown into the roadside pond by assailants.
Another local account pointed to Delwar’s land disputes with an Awami League activist, Sabuj Chowdhury, as a potential trigger for the fatal attack.
Police Response
Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman confirmed that police are in contact with Delwar’s family and are actively pursuing the perpetrators. The body has been sent to the morgue for autopsy and further investigation.
Key Information Table
| Victim Name | Age | Village | Occupation | Political Affiliation | Suspected Motive | Cash Recovered | Date & Time of Discovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delwar Hossain Chowdhury | 60 | Uttar Korapur | Market leaseholder | BNP | Land dispute | BDT 1,52,000 | 14 February, 11:45 pm |
This incident highlights the growing tensions in Barishal over land disputes and political rivalries, emphasising the urgent need for law enforcement vigilance in preventing such violent outcomes.