Gopalganj Clash: 25 sued over killing of SSC candidate

Over two dozens of people were sued yesterday in connection with a clash in which an SSC candidate was killed in Gopalganj the day before.

On Thursday, Rony Hawladar, an SSC candidate, was shot dead and 10 people were injured in the clash between two rival groups at Bongram Purbopara village in Sadar upazila.

Barkat Sheikh, a maternal uncle of Rony, filed a murder case against 25 people including one Azizur Sheikh with Sadar Police Station.

Azizur allegedly opened fire during the clash, said Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam of the police station.

“We are conducting drives to arrest the accused,” said the OC.

“There has been a longstanding conflict between Azizur Sheikh, a former member of Karpara Union Parishad, and one Natun Mollah over establishing supremacy in the area,” the police official quoted locals as saying.

A few days ago, supporters of Azizur beat Natun. Later, Rahim Sheikh, a supporter of Azizur, and Natun Mollah had an altercation that triggered the clash, said OC Monirul.

Both the groups were equipped with sharp weapons, he said.

“At one point, Natun’s supporters attacked Azizur’s house. Enraged, Azizur fired shots to intimidate the attackers. One of the bullets hit Rony,” said the police officer.

The complainant, Barkat Sheikh, said, “My nephew was innocent. But, they killed him. We want justice.”

Rony’s father Anwar Hawladar said his son, who was supposed to sit for SSC exams from Azharia High School in Sadar upazila, was just a bystander.