Houses were vandalised and the Lalmonirhat–Burimari highway was blocked with the body of a teenager in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district on Tuesday.

The victim, Liakat Ali Laden, 16, was the son of Ashraful of Balatari village under Sarpukur union and a student of a local madrasa.

On Monday night, he was allegedly stabbed by a local boy named Roki at the Sarpukur  Government Primary School ground in the upazila, according to locals.

Police and locals said the incident stemmed from a trivial altercation when Rabby, the minor son of Juel of Daspara village, allegedly insulted Laden. In retaliation, Laden slapped Rabby, who later informed his family.

 Following this, around 8:00 pm, Laden was sitting alone at the nearby Sarpukur Government Primary School ground when Roki allegedly stabbed him from behind and fled the scene.

Locals rescued him and took him to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Then, angry residents attacked and vandalised at least seven houses belonging to Roki and his relatives, also carrying out looting, according to eyewitnesses.

Police later brought the situation under control and sent the body to the morgue.

On Tuesday afternoon, protesters again blocked the Lalmonirhat–Burimari highway at Saptibari Bazar with the body, demanding punishment for the killers.

Later, Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque visited the spot and assured justice and swift arrest of the accused, after which the blockade was withdrawn around an hour later.

OC Nazmul Haque said a murder case has been filed by the victim’s father, and drives are underway to arrest the accused.