A grocery trader, Md Idris, 26, was seriously injured in an alleged group attack at his shop in the Alipur Sluicegate area of Latachapli Union under Mahipur police station in Patuakhali. The incident occurred at about 7pm on Sunday. Idris, son of local grocery trader Md Manik Akon, is receiving treatment at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

The victim’s family alleged that Sabbir, son of local Union Parishad member and Awami League leader Abul Hossain, also known as Abul Company, led a group of seven or eight people in the attack over a prior dispute. They said the group entered the shop and used hammers, iron rods and sharp locally made weapons, leaving Idris with serious injuries to his hands, legs and other parts of his body.

Locals took Idris first to Kuakata 20-bed Hospital, where doctors referred him to Barishal as his condition worsened. The family has demanded arrests, an impartial investigation and exemplary punishment. They were preparing to file a written complaint with Mahipur police. Officer-in-charge Md Shamim Hawlader said legal action would follow an investigation if a written complaint is submitted.