The deceased Akib was the son of Anisur Rahman of Majdia Islampara village in Sara union of the upazila.
Family members said Akib did not return after going out from home on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday dawn, unidentified people left him injured at Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex in an auto-rickshaw. After getting news, his father went to the hospital and arranged to take him to Rajshahi. On the way, when they reached Lalpur area, Akib died.
The deceased's father claimed there were marks of injury on his body. However, it has not yet been confirmed who beat him and why. He demanded proper investigation and trial of those involved.
Ishwardi police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Asadur Rahman said no marks of weapon wounds were found on Akib's body. However, there are marks of beating. Whether his death was caused by the beating is being investigated. Preparations are underway to send the body to Pabna General Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Meanwhile, quoting various local sources, it has been learned that Akib was a supporter of Mehedi Hasan, former member secretary of Ishwardi upazila Swechhasebak Dal. He used to drive Mehedi's shallow-engine boat.
Local sources also said there has been a long-standing dispute between Mehedi and the 'Kakan Bahini' over the occupation and dominance of sand mahal in the Sara and Islampara ghat areas. Occasional gunfire has also taken place over this dispute.
Initially, it is being assumed that Akib may have been attacked due to that dispute. However, police have not blamed anyone yet. Investigation is ongoing to identify the real cause and those involved.
