An expatriate Awami League leader was shot dead by his opponents in front of his house in Noakhali while an Awami League activist beaten to death in Natore.
The deceased expatriate Awami League leader was Jahedul Islam Maruf, 36, of Char Parboti in Companiganj upazila. He was the organising secretary of China chapter Awami League.
The victim’s father said Maruf came home ahead of the upazila election and always voiced against illegal works committed by local Juba League activists.
Maruf was allegedly shot dead by local Juba League leader Md Yasin with his cohorts centring the rape of a day labourer’s wife in the locality. Later, locals set fire to Yasin’s house and his three shops at Chowdhurir hat and vandalised five others. Businessmen in the area observed a half-day hartal in protest of the killing.
Azam Pasha, president of Companiganj upazila Juba League, said Yasin was the president of Char Parboti union Juba League, but he was sacked from the party three months ago.
Sajidur Rahaman Sajid, officer-in-charge of Companiganj police station, said police tried to arrest Yasin, but he managed to flee.
On the other hand, the deceased AL activist was Abu Khan, 52, of Ramananda-Khazura union under Singra upazila in Natore, reports our correspondent.
Sub-Inspector Osman Gani, in charge of Kaliganj police camp, said Abu Khan was occupying a khash water body of around 65 bighas for a long time.
He was canvassing support for the Awami League rebel candidate Zahidul Islam contesting the recently held upazila election.
Another AL activist Rabiul was seeking vote for the AL-supported Chairman Candidate Shafiqul Islam Shafiq.
An enmity grew between them centring the election and the defeat of AL candidates in the upazila poll intensified their hostility. After the election result, Rabiul occupied the water body.
A clash ensued between the two rival groups. Rabiul and his followers beat Abu severely and left him injured.
Abu died on his way to the hospital.
