Family claims it's planned murder

Family members of a former BCL leader, who was lynched on Monday by an angry mob in the port city's Pahartali railway market on allegation of extortion, yesterday claimed that he was murdered in a planned way.

Denying the allegation of extortion or any criminal activities, Md Shakirul Islam Shisir, younger brother of deceased Mohiuddin Sohel, at a press conference said no cases had ever been filed against him.

Family members including Sohel's wife, two children, parents and sister were present at the press conference.

Reading out a statement, Shisir said his brother was killed in a planned way since he took steps against drug peddling and other criminal activities in Pahartali Bazar and adjoining areas.

He never demanded extortion money from anybody, rather he was a contractor in the railway, he said.

Sohel recently uprooted a den of illegal activities run by a former ward councillor who is currently involved with Jatiya Party, he said, adding that this person was angry with Sohel and such enmity could be a reason for this brutal murder.