A 40-year-old farmer, who had been assaulted allegedly by a neighbour and his associates at a village in Malda district on Thursday night, succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

Satya Basak of Gunipara village near Gazole passed away at the Malda Medical College & Hospital (MMCH). Police are searing for the alleged attackers who were named in a complaint lodged by Basak’s relatives.

Sources said Basak had loaned Rs 2,000 to neighbour Umesh Choudhury two months back.

“Despite reminders, Umesh didn’t pay back the money to my husband. Last night, he came our home and asked my husband to accompany to his house for repaying the amount. At Umesh’s house, my husband was severely beaten up. He somehow escaped their clutches and reached back our home,” Basak’s wife Manju said.

Basak had first been taken to the block hospital in Gazole. Later at night, he was shifted to MMCH where he died on Friday.

“We want police to arrest Umesh and his accomplices. They should be punished for killing my husband,” said the woman, who has three daughters and a son.

Choudhury and his associates have allegedly fled the village.

“We are in search of them. A case has been registered and the investigation has started,” said a police officer.

Body found

The body of a 30-year-old youth was found at an under-construction house in the Ghorapir-Lake Garden area of Malda town on Friday.

Locals people spotted the body which bore blood marks and informed police.

English Bazar police seized the body which was identified as that of local resident Samir Roy. Amit, the victim’s brother, alleged that he had been murdered.

“There was blood on his face and an injury on the head. We suspect he has been murdered and the body dumped at the building. The police should find out the truth,” he said.

The investigators said they were waiting for post-mortem report to determine if Roy had been killed or had committed suicide.