A local BNP leader, who was critically injured in a clash between two factions of the party in Bagerhat's Sadar upazila on February 11 over a local party conference, died at Dhaka hospital today.
The victim, Shawkat Hossain, 50, was the general secretary of Dhopakhali Union's Ward 7 unit BNP under the district's Kachua upazila and son of Iman Uddin Sheikh from Chitabari village.
Shawkat succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in the capital around 10:00am today, nine days after he was injured, said his brother Liakat Hossain.
"My brother fought for his life for nine days, but we lost him. I demand justice," he said.
Liakat alleged that the attack was carried out by rival BNP leader Afzal Howlader and his associates.
However, the correspondent could not reach Afzal for comment in this regard.
The clash occurred between two rival factions on February 11 in the Depara Bazar area of Bagerhat Sadar following a dispute over forming the local BNP committee in Kachua upazila. Several people, including Shawkat and his brother Liakat, were seriously injured.
Shawkat was initially taken to Bagerhat 250-bed District Hospital and transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital. He was later sent to Dhaka for better treatment as his condition worsened.
Earlier, Liakat filed a case against 11 individuals, including rival candidate Afzal Howlader, along with 50-60 unidentified persons.
No arrests were made till the filing of this report.
Hearing the death of Shawkat, BNP activists and family members in Depara Bazar surrounded the house of Haidar Ali, a supporter of Afzal Howlader, this afternoon.
Md Rashedul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kachua Police Station, said on information, police rushed to the spot and detained three people, including Haidar Ali.