Witnesses said 15 to 20 armed youths came to Guagachhi village of the upazila at about 1:30am. They claimed themselves as members of the BNP Ghoraghat unit and stormed into some houses.

As they started looting valuables from the houses, some of the inmates tactfully came out of their houses and cried for help.

At this, other villagers rushed to the spot and surrounded the youths. They caught three of the gang, including Sarwar Hossain and Shah Alam, president and secretary of BNP Ghoraghat unit.

They (villagers) beat up the three severely, resulting in the death of Shah Alam on the spot. Later, the angry villagers threw his body into the Karatoa river.

Injured Ghoraghat BNP President Sarwar and another activist, whose name could not be known as of 6:00pm yesterday, are now undergoing treatment at Ghoraghat Health Complex.

Police recovered Sarwar's body from the river yesterday morning and sent it to Dinajpur Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy. A case has been lodged with Ghoraghat Police Station.