A school student in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla has died while undergoing treatment after being attacked by relatives of a girl’s family over a love affair, triggering protests in the area.

The deceased, Md Atiq, 17, was the son of Abdul Mannan Mia from Sonakatia Ardash village under Chauddagram. He was an SSC candidate at Chauddagram Government Technical School and College.

Chauddagram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Hilal Uddin Ahmed said, “A school student named Atiq was attacked and injured due to a previous dispute on Monday night. He later died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. The incident created tension in the area, but the situation is currently under police control.”

Septuagenarian woman killed over payment of debt in Jashore

According to police and local sources, Atiq’s friend Shajib fled with a girl named Nadia, and married her on October 13 last year. Following the incident, Nadia’s mother, Nazma Begum, filed a case against Shajib, and 10 others including Atiq at Chauddagram Police Station.

Police later rescued Nadia and, following a court order, returned her to her family.

On Monday night, a group of five-six unidentified people, allegedly led by Nadia’s father, Neemat Ullah, attacked and severely beat Atiq in Sonakatia.

Locals rescued him in critical condition and took him to Chauddagram Upazila Health Complex. He was later transferred to Cumilla Medical College Hospital and subsequently to Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to his worsening condition. Failing to secure an ICU bed there, his family admitted him to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday afternoon.

Following Atiq’s death, agitated locals staged a protest demanding the arrest of the accused.