Man accused in 25 cases, killed in ‘gunfight’

A suspected criminal has been killed in a reported gunfight with Rapid Action Battalion in Rupsha upazila, Khulna.

The incident took place near Zero Point area of Rampal Coal Power Plant around 5am on Thursday.

The deceased, Mostafa or Meena Kamal alias Fatakestho, was a former UP chairman of Naihati, who was enlisted as one of the top criminals of the area.

He was accused in at least 25 cases including murder, violence against women and drug trade with different police stations of the area, confirmed Lt Col Firoz, commanding officer of RAB-6.

“We were conducting a drive in the area and when challenged, Meena opened fire at us. When we fired back in retaliation, Meena tried to flee the spot,” said the officer.

“We caught the injured man with a bullet wound and when taken to Rampal Hospital, the duty doctor declared him dead,” added the officer.

Two officials of RAB were also injured in the gunfight.

A foreign pistol, bullets, 500 pieces of yaba pills and Tk66,000 cash was recovered from the deceased’s possession, confirmed the RAB sources.

Locals said that Meena, who was accused in nine murder cases and hundreds of complaints, was terrorizing them for a long time and they felt a sense of relief after his death.

Locals also formed a joyous procession to celebrate his death early morning Thursday.