Boatman killed by passenger

JALAKATI, Sept 19 (UNB): A boatman was killed by a passenger after an altercation between them over anchoring his ferryboat at Amua Hospital Ghat in Bishkhali River in Kathalia upazila on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Shahjahan Sardar, 40, an oarsman by profession and son of Abdus Sattar Sardar of Amua village. Shahjahan was ferrying passengers from Bamna upazila headquarters of Patuakhali district to Amua Hospital ghat of Jhalakathi Sunday. Passenger Emadul asked him to anchor the boat at Amua Ferry Ghat instead of Hospital ghat which he refused. Angered at the refusal, Emadul engaged in an altercation with Shahjahan over the issue and at one stage he picked up an oars and hit Shahjahan, leaving the oarsman dead on the spot at 8-30 pm.