A man was hacked to death allegedly by his cousin and five others of his family sustained serious injuries over a trivial matter in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet on Tuesday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Nurul Islam, 48, a day labourer of Haratail Rangarai village under Barachutul union.

The attack took place around 5pm at Nurul Islam’s residence, police and locals said.

According to locals, Nurul Islam, son of late Ayub Ali, had long been in conflict with his cousin Babul Ahmed over homestead land. On Tuesday afternoon, Nurul’s young son allegedly defecated near the boundary of Babul’s land, which triggered a violent altercation.

Soon after, Babul, his son Mumin Ahmed and several family members, both male and female, allegedly stormed into Nurul’s house armed with sharp weapons and launched a brutal attack. Nurul, his wife Rina Begum and their five children were hacked indiscriminately, leaving them severely injured.

Neighbours rushed the victims to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared Nurul Islam dead. His wife Rina Begum remains in critical condition and had not regained consciousness as of 8pm.

Union Parishad member Taj Uddin described Nurul Islam as a poor day labourer who used to work at Chatul Bazar to feed his nine children. His body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

Kanaighat Police Station’s second officer SI Nur Hossain said drives are underway to arrest the attackers.

Confirming the incident, Kanaighat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Awal said he has visited the scene.