Man died after being stabbed

A man was stabbed to death during a clash between two groups of locals in the port city's Agrabad area yesterday.

The dead was identified as Md Hashem Khan, 35, a resident of Agrabad's Rangipara area. Police arrested the murder suspect, Md Sohag, and 24 others.

The incident happened around 11:30 am when a group of youths was holding a programme in front of the Roads and Highways Department's office near Jamburi Park in Agrabad area, marking the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said police.

"A group of youths under the banner of Eastern Boys Club from Rangipara area organised a bike and motorbike stunt show, blocking the main road. Rickshaw-puller Md Mohsin, who was crossing the area carrying a passenger, protested the blocking of the road. The youths then started beating him up," said Mohammed Mohsin, officer-in-charge of Double Mooring Police Station.

Later, Mohsin's younger brother Sohag, a van driver, and locals from Jamburi Park area came to Mohsin's aid and eventually got locked into a clash with the youths, said the OC.

At one stage, the youths except for Hashem fled the area. He stayed back to pack up the sound system that he took there for the programme. Noticing that Hashem was still there, Sohag collected a knife from a roadside vendor and stabbed Hashem, added the police officer.

Hashem was taken to Agrabad Ma-O-Shishu General Hospital where he died from wounds later, according to police.

During primary interrogation, Sohag admitted to stabbing Hashem, said the OC, adding that three motorbikes and a mini truck were seized from the spot.

Meanwhile, a poultry trader was stabbed to death on his way home in Chattogram's Banshkhali Upazila early yesterday. The victim was identified as Nurul Islam, 34.

His mobile phone and cash were looted but police were yet to ascertain whether it was a case of a mugging or planned murder.

Azizul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Banshkhali Police Station, said they are trying to track down the killers.