An alleged former leader of the banned Purbo Banglar Communist Party was stabbed and later shot to death by unidentified criminals in broad daylight in Monirampur upazila of Jessore Thursday afternoon.
The deceased identified as Rafiqul Islam, 50, resident of Modhupur village of the upazila, was said to be a former regional commander of the banned party, according to local sources.
Manirampur police station Inspector (Investigation) Shikdar Matiar Rahman confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
Rafiqul, a battery-run three-wheeler driver, came under attack at Hajirhat while returning to Manirampur after dropping off passengers at Sundali Bazar in the afternoon, said the inspector quoting witnesses.
Hearing the sound of gunfire, locals rushed to the spot and saw Rafiqul lying beside his three-wheeler.
On information, police visited the spot and recovered the body.
“The criminals shot the victim and also stabbed him,” said Inspector Shikdar Matiar Rahman.
He said Rafiqul was accused in several cases filed with the local police station.
According to locals, Rafiqul resigned from the banned party and returned to normal life and used to support his family with earnings from driving the three-wheeler.
The body was sent to Jessore General Hospital for autopsy. A murder case was filed with Monirampur police station.
