3 ‘drug peddlers’ killed in ‘gunfights’ in 3 districts

Three suspected drug peddlers were killed in separate incidents of “gunfights” in Bogra, Tangail and Jessore districts early today.

In Bogra, Putu Sarkar, 45, was killed in a tripartite “gunfight” involving police and two rival gangs of drug peddlers around 3:00am in the town, our local correspondent reports quoting Superintendent of Police (SP) in Bogra Ali Ashraf Bhuiyan.

On information that a “gun battle” was going on between two rival groups of drug dealers near Bhatkandi Bridge in Bogra town, a police patrol team went there.

Sensing their presence, the criminals opened fire on police forcing them to retaliate. At one stage, a suspect was caught in the line of fire, the SP said.

He was rushed to Bogra Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College and Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead, the police official said, adding that he was later identified as Putu Sarkar, elder brother of suspended Sramik leader Tufan Sarkar, the prime accused in a case filed over rape of a schoolgirl and torture on her mother.

On July 17, Tufan Sarker, former Sramik League convenor in Bogra town, allegedly abducted a female student from her home, raped her and then asked his party cadres to make sure everything was hushed up.

In their attempt to muffle the victim, they picked up the student and her mother, tortured them for four hours and then shaved their heads.

Putu was accused in five cases including narcotics, police claimed.

Two firearms, eight rounds of bullets and 500 pieces of yaba pills were recovered from the scene.

In Tangail, a suspected drug peddler was killed in what Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) claimed to be a gunfight in Sadar upazila early today.

The deceased was identified as Mohammad Afzal, 35, son of Abdul Karim of Beguntal village in the upazila. He was a top listed “drug peddler” and was accused in three cases, including narcotics and arms, with Tangail Model Police Station, according to Rab.

Tipped-off, a team of Rab-12 from Tangail camp started an anti-drug drive in Beguntal area in the upazila around 3:00am, our Tangail correspondent reports quoting Major Robiul Islam, commander of Crime Prevention Company-3 of Rab-12.

Sensing presence of the elite force, the criminals opened fire on them that prompted the Rab members to retaliate in self-defence, triggering the “gunfight”.

After the “gunfight” subsided, a suspect was found with bullet injuries. He was taken to Tangail General Hospital where doctors declared him dead, the Rab official said.

They also recovered one pistol, bullets, phensidyl and yaba tablets from the spot, he added.

In Jessore, a suspected drug peddler was killed in a reported “gunfight” with rival group at Burar Beel area near Koyerpara bazaar in Chowgacha upazila early today, reports our Benapole correspondent.

The deceased was identified as Ratan Hossain, 30, son of Abu Bakar of Digholsingha village in the upazila, said Khondokar Samimuddin, officer-in-charge of Chowgacha Police Station.

On information about the “gunfight” between the rival groups of drug peddlers, a police team went to the area and recovered the bullet-hit body of Ratan, the OC said.

He was taken to Jessore General Hospital where on duty doctor Shafiullah Sabuj said Ratan had died already.

Raton was accused in many narcotics cases, the OC also said, adding that the criminals fled from the scene sensing presence of the law enforcers.

Some 200 pieces of yaba tablets, one shooter gun and one round bullet were recovered from the spot, the police official added.

However, Ratan’s mother Farida Begum claimed that he used to work in a garment factory in Dhaka and was not involved in narcotics trade.

Ratan had been missing since yesterday after he left home to go to Magura, she said, adding that he went to Jessore several days ago.