A man has been arrested in connection with the death of BNP leader Elias Mia, who succumbed to injuries after being beaten with iron rods in Gaibandha’s Sundarganj upazila.

Sundarganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Hakim Azad confirmed the arrest of 75-year-old Mojibor Mia on Saturday, June 7.

The deceased, Elias Mia, was the Joint General Secretary of the convening committee of Sarbanand Union BNP and a resident of Ramvodro village. The arrestee, Mojibor Mia, is the father of Sumon Mia, a local leader affiliated with the ruling Awami League’s youth wing, Jubo League.

According to locals, the attack took place around 11:30 p.m. on June 6 while Elias was returning home from a fish farm. He was ambushed in the Khanabari area of Gandar Beel by a group allegedly led by Sumon Mia. The attackers reportedly beat him with iron rods. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing Elias’s cries for help, causing the attackers to flee.

Elias was first taken to Sundarganj Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. He died while undergoing treatment there at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

A video that surfaced on social media shows Elias naming his attackers while being taken to the hospital. In the 1-minute-19-second video, he is heard saying that he was assaulted by “Mojibor’s son Sumon, Dakuwa’s son Jubair, and Taleb’s son, among others.”

Sundarganj OC Abdul Hakim Azad said the motive behind the attack is still unknown. “We are waiting for a formal complaint from the victim’s family. Once we receive it, we’ll be able to determine the reason behind the attack. Police are actively investigating the case and working to arrest all involved,” he added.

Elias’s body will be handed over to his family after an autopsy.