A Cambodia-resident Bangladeshi expatriate was killed in a clash between two groups of villagers over a piece of land in Sadar upazila of Jhenaidah on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Mahbul Hossain, 40, son of Sabdar Biswas of Kala village. Mahbul recently returned home from Cambodia on leave.

Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said there was an enmity between the people of Kala and Laxmipur villages over leasing a piece of land.

Batul Biswas of Kala village used to cultivate crops by leasing land from one Siraj Mia. Recently, Siraj Mia returned the lease money to Batul and demanded to return his land.

But Batul Biswas refused to return the land until the crops were harvested since crops were being grown on that land.

Village arbitration was held on Friday night where representatives from two villages were present there, which ended without any settlement.

Later, the supporters of Batul Biswas and Siraj Molla, equipped with lethal weapons, attacked each other around 10 am at Kala-Laxmipur field.

At one stage, the supporters of Siraj hit Mahbul with a sharp weapon, finding him alone, leaving Mahbul injured.

He was taken to Sadar hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 11 am.

Angered by the incident the supporters of Batul set fire on two houses of the supporters of Siraj Molla.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

A tense situation was prevailing in the area over the issue.