Dhaka, Jan. 14 -- A critically ill patient has died on the way to Dhaka after his ambulance was allegedly blocked for over 90 minutes by a group linked to local ambulance services in Shariatpur.

The family of 60-year-old Jamshed Ali Dhali from Damudya's Kutubpur said they hired a Dhaka-based ambulance on Tuesday after disputes over fares with a local service.

But on the way, the vehicle was twice stopped at Kotapara and Jamtala by men demanding to know why a "local ambulance" was not used.

Relatives and the driver said they were assaulted during the confrontation.

The patient died before reaching the National Institute of Neurosciences in Dhaka.

Doctor Rashed Ahmed of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital confirmed Jamshed had been admitted with...