2 brothers of Cumilla ward councillor arrested over beating sand trader to death

Two brothers of a ward councillor in Cumilla were arrested yesterday over the murder of a local sand trader.

The sand trader -- Akter Hossain, 55 -- was beaten to death and two brothers of Alamgir Hossain, councillor of ward No 23 in Kotbari area under Cumilla City Corporation, were arrested in this connection.

The victim was a resident of Changini area of Cumilla Sadar South Upazila, our local correspondent reports quoting Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Cumilla Sadar South Police Station.

On information, police went to the spot and detained Amir Hossain and Billal Hossain -- the two brothers -- in connection with the murder, the OC said.

According to locals, the victim was a sand trader and was involved in trading construction materials.

The victim's younger brother Alal Hossain said, Cumilla City unit Jubo League joint convener and Ward Councillor Alamgir Hossain, along with his brother Billal Hossain and their family members, locked in an altercation with Akter in front of Changini mosque around 2:30pm.

At one point, Councillor Alamgir, his brother and their family members swooped on Akter and hit him with sticks and iron rods, leaving him critically injured, Alal said.

Akter was rushed to a private hospital in the area where attending the doctor declared him dead, Alal told the correspondent.  

The body was sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy, the OC said adding that a murder case is being lodged.

Alamgir could not be reached for comments.