Two killed in Sylhet ‘gunfights’

A man, who was killed in an alleged "gunfight" with police in Sylhet's Bishwanath upazila early yesterday, was picked-up by plaincloths policemen from in front of Sylhet Central Jail on February 18, claims his wife.

Fotik Miah, 40, was from Purbapara village in the upazila.

His wife Halima Khatun said Fatik was released on bail in a robbery case on February 18 and she was waiting at the jail gate to receive him.

As soon as they met, a microbus braked sharply in front of them and some plain cloth policemen forcefully dragged Fotik into the car before speeding away, said Halima while talking to The Daily Star at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital yesterday after receiving her husband's body.

She claimed to have identified one of the policemen as a member of Detective Branch of Police.

Meanwhile on Thursday, she filed a case with a Sylhet court in this regard.

Police, however, denied the claim and said Fotik Miah, 40, along with accomplices was preparing for a robbery in Surirkhal area and the "shootout" ensued when a police team raided the area. 

Shamim Musa, officer-in-charge of Bishwanath Police Station, said, "The allegation was completely baseless as three policemen were also injured in the gunfight in which Fatik was killed."

The injured policemen are Sub-Inspector Mizanur Rahman, and constables Chandan Gour and Rasel Das, the OC said, adding that the victim was accused in 16 cases.

Meanwhile, another man was killed in what Rab said was a "gunfight" with them in the district's Golapganj upazila.  

Ali Hossain, 40, from Kodupur village in the upazila said Samiul Alam, media officer of Rab-9 said.

"During a drive to arrest Ali, he and his associates open fire to Rab members which eventually led to a gunfight," the Rab official said, adding that five people were arrested from the spot.