A leader of Swechchhasebak Dal was stabbed to death during an arbitration meeting in Dhaka’s Mouchak area on Monday night.

The deceased was identified as Billal Hossain Talukdar, 57, former convener of Ramna Thana Swechchhasebak Dal. He lived in the Malibagh Baganbari area and operated a sand and cement business in the area, police said.

"The victim had a stab wound on his chest. Ramna Police Station has been informed of the incident," said Inspector Md Farouk, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost.

He said the body had been kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy.

The incident took place at around 8:00pm in front of Anarkali Market in Mouchak.

According to the deceased's nephew, Md Mobarak Hossain Akash, he had been assaulted by several individuals near Anarkali Market earlier in the evening. Following the attack, he called his uncle, Billal, to help resolve the dispute.

An arbitration meeting was subsequently held at the spot. During the meeting, Billal became involved in an argument with Didarul Islam Babu, convener of Ramna Thana Jubo Dal, and Lutfor, the unit's secretary, Akash alleged.

At one stage, Billal was stabbed in the chest by Babu's followers, allegedly acting under his directions, Akash said.

Critically injured, Billal was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead at around 9:15pm.

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ramna Zone) Majharul Islam told The Daily Star that police have already visited the scene and launched an investigation.

"We are collecting CCTV footage from the surrounding area and examining the evidence to identify those involved," he said.