Local residents beat up a senior Awami League (AL) leader and handed him over to police at Phulbari Gate in Khulna city on Saturday afternoon.
The individual, identified as Beg Liakat Ali, is the vice-president of Khulna Metropolitan Awami League and a former president of the Fulbarigate Bazar Traders' Association.
According to Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Khan Jahan Ali police station, Liakat had been in hiding for a long time and is wanted in several cases.
Around 1pm, locals spotted him near the Badamtola Police Training Centre, captured him, and beat him mercilessly, leaving him injured, the OC said.
Upon receiving information, police rushed to the scene, rescued him from the mob, and admitted him to the prison cell of Khulna Medical College Hospital. He will be shown arrested after receiving treatment, OC Kabir added.
Locals allege that during the Awami League's tenure in power, Liakat maintained control over the traders’ association without holding any elections, despite repeated demands from general traders — including AL supporters.
This long-standing discontent is believed to have triggered the attack.
