UP member among 3 killed in Madaripur encounter

Three people, including a member of a union parishad, were killed in a clash between two rival groups in Banshgari area of ​​Madaripur today.

The deceased were identified as Akhtar Shikdar, 42, a parishad member of Banshgari union and senior vice-president of Awami League union ward 8, his son Maruf Shikdar, 20, and Akhtar’s associate Sirajul Chowkidar, 35.

At least 12 people were injured in the incident, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kalkini Police Station Mohammad Humayun Kabir.

According to police and residents, Akhtar had a long-standing dispute with local Parishad union president Mostafizur Rahman Sumon over establishing supremacy in the area.

The Organizing Committee said Akhtar, who went into hiding on August 5 after the fall of the Awami League-led government, returned to his home on Thursday after hearing that it had been looted and vandalized.

Clashes broke out at dawn in the Khasherhat area when Mostafizur’s supporters intercepted Akhtar and his supporters near the Arial Khan Bridge.

During the clash, Akhtar died on the spot due to the explosion of a primitive bomb.

Maruf was seriously injured in the clash and taken to a hospital in Shariatpur, where he died. Sirajul died on his way to Dhaka for better treatment.

The bodies were shifted to Madaripur Hospital for post-mortem.

A resident of Khasherhat, seeking anonymity, said Mostafizur was a supporter of the BNP but joined the Awami League after it formed the government. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, Mostafizur became active in BNP politics again.

This newspaper could not immediately reach Mostafizur for comment.