Followers of slain SL leader torch houses

Supporters of slain Swechchasebak League (SL) leader Lokman Matbar allegedly torched 15 houses at Santospur village in Sadar upazila of Shariatpur on Saturday in protest against the killing of their leader. The arson attack took place after the police confirmed the recovery of the body of Lokman Matbar, 38, vice-president of sadar upazila unit of Swechchasebak League and son of Siraj Matbar of Santospur village, from a forest in Keraniganj upazila, Dhaka. Sadar Police Station sources said a team from Keraniganj police station recovered the body this noon. The body that bore several marks of injuries was sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. As the news spread around, the enraged followers of the leader attacked and torched 15 houses of their rival group at Santospur village around 3pm. They had also looted valuables from the houses before they set those on fire, according to a news agency.