A 45-year-old resident of Malda district, who had been beaten up by neighbours during an altercation on February 1, succumbed to his injuries at Malda Medical College and Hospital on Friday night.

The deceased, Mohammad Rafique of Sheikhpura village under Manikchak police station, was a widower and a daily wage earner. He is survived by four children.

A source said on February 1, while a truck was moving through the village, it damaged the branches of some trees of villager Aliul Sheikh.

Aliul and his aides intercepted the vehicle and assaulted the driver. As Zainul Sheikh, Rafique’s brother, tried to stop them, Aliul attacked him. When Rafique tried to save his brother, he was beaten with sticks and hit with sharp weapons.

Rafique was taken to a local hospital and shifted to the MMCH where he died.

His family filed a police complaint, naming eight persons. “Three have been arrested, but search is on for others, including Aliul,” said an officer of Manikchak police station.

Narcotics seizure

The special task force (STF) of the state police seized brown sugar (a derivative of heroin) worth Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 lakh in cash from two persons in Baishnabnagar area of Malda district on Saturday.

Mohammad Sabbir Ali of Lalgola in Murshidabad district, and Mostafa Sheikh, from Kaliachak of Malda, are suspected to be members of a drug smuggling racket.