A housewife was allegedly beaten to death over a longstanding dispute in Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla on Thursday, triggering tensions in the locality.

The deceased, Rashida Begum, 42, was the wife of Delwar Hossain of Maheshpur village under Purba Dhair West Union.

Police recovered the body and sent it to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

According to local sources, a long-running feud had been ongoing in Maheshpur village between rival groups led by Khorshed Alam  and Union Parishad member Rahim Sarkar.

Recently, Rashida Begum had gone to the area to take possession of seven cattle belonging to her husband Delwar Hossain, who is an accused fugitive in a murder case filed over the killing of Mowla Sarkar, a member of Rahim Sarkar’s group.

Allegedly, while the cattle were being transported in a pickup van, members of Rahim Sarkar’s group — including Samad, Rashid, and Shirin, along with 15–20 others intercepted the vehicle, forced Rashida Begum out and beat her severely. Her two daughters, who tried to intervene, were also assaulted.

Police rescued Rashida Begum and took her to Muradnagar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead.

The victim’s uncle, Salauddin, alleged that she was killed due to previous enmity.

Officer-in-Charge of Bangra Bazar Police Station Safiul Alam said the body had been sent for autopsy and additional police have been deployed in the area. He added that efforts are underway to arrest those involved in the incident.