2 youths hacked to death over establishing dominance in Kushtia, another injured

Two youths were hacked to death and another was injured in an attack allegedly carried out by rivals over establishing dominance in Khoksa Upazila of Kushtia early today (18 July).

The incident took place at around 12:45am at Debinagar village under Osmanpur union.

The deceased were Faruk Hossain, 40, son of late Chand Ali from Debinagar village, and Abdul Sheikh, 25, son of Atiar Sheikh from Khanpur village in the same union.

Following the killings, a tense atmosphere has been prevailing in the area, prompting the authorities to deploy additional police forces to prevent further escalation.

The injured person, Mulluk Mondal, was rescued and admitted to Kushtia General Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

According to police and local sources, a long-standing dispute had been brewing between two local groups – one led by Salim Hossain and the other by Mintu Chowkidar – over dominance in Osmanpur.

As a sequel to the enmity, clashes broke out between supporters of both factions yesterday afternoon.

Mollah Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Khoksa Police Station, said the killings were a direct fallout of a turf war between the Mintu Chowkidar- and Salim Hossain-led groups.

After the clashes in the afternoon, supporters of Mintu Chowkidar launched a sudden attack on Salim Hossain's house with local weapons, according to police.

The attackers hacked Faruk Hossain, Abdul Sheikh, and Mulluk Mondal, who were present in the house at the time.

Faruk and Abdul died on the spot due to critical injuries, while locals rescued Mulluk and rushed him to the hospital.

The OC added that additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, adding that a police drive is underway to identify and arrest those involved in the incident.