3 injured as criminals fire on private car

Three people including two hijras were injured when unidentified assailants stopped their car and opened fire on them on Baipail-Abdullahpur Highway in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital yesterday.

The injured are chief of Ashulia transgender community Abdul Rashida, 40, a member of the same community Shikha, 28, and driver Nurun Nabi, 24.

Police said four transgender people from Jamgora area of Ashulia were heading towards Tongi to attend a community meeting when a microbus intercepted their vehicle near Moragang Bridge around 10:30am.

Three to four unidentified attackers had opened fire on the car and sped away. Hearing their scream, locals rushed to the spot and took the injured to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar.

Of the injured, the condition of Rashida, who was at the Intensive Care Unit, was critical with bullet injuries in the abdomen and chest. Shikha suffered bullet injuries in the chest and Nurun Nabi in his left arm, doctors said.

Akhi, who was also in the car, said the unidentified criminals shot five to six bullets.

According to the community members, there are more than 500 transgender people living in several areas in Ashulia. They said they have no enmity with anyone who might plan to kill their chief.

Rezaul Haque, officer in-charge of Ashulia police, said the reason behind the attack could not be known, adding, they are investigating the matter.

The transgender communities of Savar and Ashulia demanded fair investigation into the incident and immediate arrest of the attackers.