No case filed over Khulna murders yet

Over 48 hours have passed since three people were shot dead and another was beaten to death over the management of a local madrasa committee in Atra-Gilatola Eastern Gate area of Khulna city on Thursday, but no case has been filed yet.

Police, since Saturday morning, have been saying that filing of a case is underway, without divulging any further details.

Meanwhile in a latest development, law enforcers yesterday arrested Sheikh Jafrin, younger brother of Awami League leader Sheikh Zakaria, in front of whose house the incident took place, from Jashore for his alleged involvement, said Kanai Lal Sarker, additional deputy commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police.

In addition, AL yesterday expelled Zakaria, who is on the run.

According to locals, Zakaria and his brothers Sheikh Milton and Jafrin have been at loggerheads with the villagers of Moshiali for a long time over various issues, including forming the madrasa committee. They alleged that all the brothers were involved with the ruling party politics and very influential.

On Thursday evening, police arrested a man named Mujibur Rahman Sheikh from Zakaria's business establishment in the area with a weapon.

Villagers claimed that Mujibur was framed.

Around 8:30pm, a group of them went to Zakaria's house to protest the incident.

At one point of a heated exchange, Zakaria and his brothers opened fire on the crowd. Two died on the spot while another at Khulna Medical College Hospital. Seven people are undergoing treatment at KMCH with bullet injuries.

That very night after the incident, villagers set fire to at least 11 houses and businesses of Zakaria and his brothers.

They also beat Jihad Hossain -- Zakaria's cousin -- to death, according to witnesses.

During Thursday's incident, villagers Nazrul Islam (45), Golam Rasul (30) and Saiful Islam (27) were shot dead while Jihad (38) was beaten to death, said Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Khanjahan Ali Police Station.

Nazrul, Golam and Saiful were buried after autopsies, said police.

Meanwhile, an autopsy was done on Jihad's body yesterday noon. The body was kept at KMC morgue as family members did not show up to take the body for burial.

Though Moshiali falls in Atra-Gilletla union of Phultala upazila, it  is under the jurisdiction of Khanjahan Ali Police Station of KMP.

Sonali Sen, additional deputy commissioner of KMP, said filing of a case is underway. They were waiting for the burial process to be completed, she said.

When asked to elaborate on the matter, she evaded the question.

She said they have also arrested one Jahangir. Police are conducting raids to arrest the perpetrators.

EXPELLED FROM AL, BCL

AL yesterday expelled Zakaria, the co-publicity secretary of its Khanjahan Ali Thana unit. His younger brother Jafrin -- vice-president of Khulna metropolitan Chhatra League -- has also been expelled, party sources said.

In a statement, party leaders said the party will not be held responsible for any person's misdeeds.

Zakaria has been expelled for his alleged involvement in the incident, which resulted in the deaths of villagers, the statement added.

Begum Mannujan Sufian, lawmaker of Khulna-3 and state minister for Labour and Employment; Talukder Abdul Khaleque, mayor of Khulna city and president of Khulna city AL; Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, lawmaker of Khulna-2 and Khulna district AL president, and Sheikh Harunur Rashid, district council chairman, signed the statement, among others.