Three men, including a Jubo League leader and a Chhatra Shibir activist, were claimed to have died in gun battles with police and RAB in Dhaka, Comilla and Jessore yesterday.
With these deaths, the death toll in the recent spate of “gunfights” across the country, including Dhaka, topped 20.
In the capital, a Chhatra Shibir activist named Jasim Uddin was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Mirpur’s Taltola early yesterday.
The 23-year-old was a Fazil student at Kazipara Madrasa and was the ninth victim of “gunfights” in the capital during the indefinite blockade, but police made two differing statements about his death.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police said the bullet-hit body of the young man was recovered from Taltola around 3:30am. Sub-Inspector of the police station Abdur Rouf carried out an inquest into the death and said in the report that the body had several holes in the chest and face.
But Dhaka Metropolitan Police later changed the statement and said it was a gunfight incident. They accused Jasim of being involved in an attack on a police sergeant named Golam Mawla in Shyamoli on Saturday.
Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said Jasim was detained from Agargaon for his suspected involvement in the attack and police then took him with them during an operation where his cohorts opened fire.
“Police fired back and Jasim was injured in the gun battle. He later died in a local clinic,” he said.
He also said an executive magistrate would carry out an inquest into Jasim’s death.
But no police official agreed to talk about the contradictory statements on the incident.
The body was sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy and morgue officials said the body bore marks of eight to nine bullet injuries but not a single bullet was found inside.
The victim’s brother Anisur Rahman said Jasim went missing in Adabar on Saturday.
Comilla Jubo League leader killed
Jubo League leader Swapan Mia was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Comilla’s Bhatpara area around 1:30am yesterday, reports our Comilla correspondent.
The 37-year-old was the son of Kala Mia of Comilla Sadar Dakshin upazila’s Uttar Rampur village.
Family members claimed Swapan’s political rivals had used police to kill him.
Officer-in-Charge of Comilla Sadar Dakshin police station Prashanta Paul said Swapan was arrested on Saturday morning.
“He was with police during an operation to recover firearms in Bhatpara. His cohorts there attacked police, forcing them to open fire. He received bullet injuries during the shootout and was taken to Comilla Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead,” said Prashanta.
The policeman claimed that Swapan had been accused in 28 lawsuits, including the local Jubo League leader Mostak murder case.
“Five police officials were also injured during the gunfight,” he added.
Shamsuddin Mia, brother at Comilla Medical College Hospital, said Swapan had bullet injuries in the head and face when Sub-Inspector of Comilla Sadar Dakshin police station Syed Ashraful Islam brought him to the hospital around 1:55am.
Sources said Swapan had feuds with Mostak, Jubo League leader of Paduar Bazar, over collection of tolls from a local CNG-run autorickshaw stand. Mostak was killed last year.
Jessore terror suspect killed
In Jessore’s Murli, 22-year-old Razu alias Bhaipo Razu died during a “gunfight” between RAB and his associates early yesterday, reports our Jessore corespondent.
He was the son of Ajibar Rahman of Garikhana Road area in Jessore town.
RAB claimed that Razu was a terrorist, and had been accused in several cases filed in connection with murder, mugging and extortion.
He was also named in the murder case of Arnab, son of former public prosecutor of Jessore AZM Firoz.
Major Ashrafuddin, commander of RAB Jessore camp, said Razu, following his detention on Saturday night, admitted to possessing firearms.
“He was with RAB officials, who went to Murli to recover the arms, but his associates began firing at them near a brick kiln across Ishmam petrol pump around 5am, prompting a gun battle. He was hit by bullets fired by his associates while attempting to flee.
“He was taken to Jessore 250-bed General Hospital where doctors declared him dead,” said Ashrafuddin.
