An assistant professor of a local college was severely injured after being allegedly beaten with a hammer and iron rods by a local Jubo Dal activist and his followers over a land dispute and extortion demand in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia on Monday noon.

The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the Naoda Azampur intersection as Mokhlesur was returning home from college.

The victim was identified as Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, son of late Khabir Uddin of Naoda Azampur village. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Accounting at Azampur Technical College.

According to police and locals, a longstanding land dispute had been ongoing between Jubo Dal activist Mizan and the teacher. On Monday afternoon, an ambushing group led by Mizan and his associates-including Roni, Kamal, Intu, Biplob, Hasan, Sagar, Mohi Kha, and Mithu-indiscriminately beat Mokhlesur with iron rods and hammers, leaving him critically injured on the road.

Locals rushed to the spot, rescued Mokhlesur, and immediately brought him to Kushtia 250-Bed General Hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mokhlesur said a lawsuit regarding the land was currently pending in court. He alleged that Mizan had demanded Tk 5 lakh in extortion money from him a few days ago, and launched the pre-planned attack with intent to kill after he refused to pay.

Shahidul Islam Shahid, Mirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said police are taking necessary legal measures regarding the assault.