Fifteen to twenty assailants attacked the house of an Awami League leader of Hatiya municipal unit, Md Miraz, in an attempt to extort money – leaving one dead and five injured.
The attackers shot and killed Miraz’s ten-year-old son, Nirob Uddin. They also shot and injured Miraz, and hacked Miraz’s brother Rashedul Islam Nantu, the general secretary of Sheikh Rasel Shishu-Kishor Porishod and an Awami League leader.
In the early hours of Monday, Nirob was taken to Noakhali General Hospital where the on-duty doctors pronounced him dead.
Nirob’s injured uncle, Rashedul Islam Nantu, confirmed the matter. Rasedul said a group of 15-20 assailants – backed by local Members of Parliament – have been demanding and trying to extort Tk 500,000 from him (Rashedul) and his brother for the past few days.
The assailants, according to Rashedul, are – Mohiuddin Muhin, who was accused in many cases, Gul Azad, Abu Taher, Mofikul Rahman Zillur, Bachhu, Galib, Shahdat and others.
After being denied money by Rashedul and Miraz, around 8pm on Sunday, the assailants stormed into their house and open fired at them. “Amid this chaos, my brother Miraz and his son Nirob were shot, and five of us were hacked and injured,” Rashedul added.
By the time police came to the scene, the assailants had fled, he further said.
With the help of locals, Miraz and Nirob were taken and admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. Later, Nirob was transferred to Noakhali General Hospital for better treatment. He did not survive.
Confirming the matter, Hatiya police station Officer-in-Charge Md Kamruzzaman Shikdar said a case will be filed in connection with the incident, adding: “We have started a drive to catch the assailants.”
Friday, March 28, 2025
