Youth killed with hammer after ludo game dispute in Barishal

Highlights:

• Youth killed after dispute during ludo game
• Police arrest accused shortly after incident
• Victim died before reaching hospital
• Investigation underway into motive behind killing

A 25-year-old man was allegedly killed after being struck on the head with a hammer following an argument during a game of ludo in Barishal's Mehendiganj upazila today (11 July).

The deceased was identified as Md Al-Amin Shakil, son of Shahajan Pandit of Jalirchar village under Chargopalpur Union. The incident occurred at around 5pm.

Police arrested the prime suspect, Saiful Islam, 23, son of Alam Matubbar and a resident of the same village, shortly after the incident.

According to local residents, Shakil and Saiful were playing ludo at an old community building in front of Pandit Bari when an argument broke out. At one stage, Saiful allegedly attacked Shakil with a hammer, striking him repeatedly on the head before fleeing the scene.

Locals rescued the critically injured Shakil and initially took him to a nearby pharmacy before rushing him to Mehendiganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Mehendiganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Imranul Haque said Shakil had died before being brought to the hospital. His body has been sent to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for an autopsy.

Locals later apprehended Saiful and handed him over to police.

Mehendiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Momin Uddin said preliminary findings suggest the killing stemmed from an altercation during the ludo game, although investigators are examining whether any other motive may have been involved.

He said the main accused has been arrested and legal proceedings are under way.

A local resident, Sohel Talukder, said Shakil and Saiful had been close friends for a long time and were often seen together. He also claimed that both were locally known to have been involved with drugs.