Seven to die for killing farmer in Habiganj

HABIGANJ, Jan 24 (UNB): A court here sentenced seven people on Wednesday, including a woman, to death in connection with the killing of a farmer in Nabiganj Upazila on June 22, 2008.

The condemned convicts are Mortaz Miah, Faisal Miah, Fazlu Miah, Moynul Miah, Shifa Begum, Sundar Miah and Bashir Miah, residents of Daudpur village in Dighalbalok union of the upazila. All the convicts were tried in absentia.

According to the prosecution, there had been a longstanding dispute between Mortaz Miah and farmer Abul Miah of the village over a piece of land.

As a sequel to the enmity, Mortaz along with the other convicted people attacked Abul around 11:00 am on June 22 while he was returning home after work from his farmland and stabbed him indiscriminately, leaving him dead on the spot.

Later, victim's younger brother Sadik Miah filed a case against eight people.

Police pressed charges against seven people.

After examining all the records and 14 witnesses among 22, additional district and sessions judge Mafroza Pervin handed down the verdict.