Ex-BCL leader stabbed dead in Pabna

Lalon Shah Bridge on Padma river in Pakshey area of Ishwardi upazila of Pabna district. Photo taken from Wikimedia commons.

Leaders and activists of Awami League and its front organisations blocked an approach road of Pakshey Lalon Shah Bridge, which links the country’s northern and southern districts, for five hours today protesting killing of a former BCL leader in Pabna.

The protesters also vandalised at least 20 vehicles near the bridge in Ishwardi upazila of the district during the blockade, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Miscreants stabbed Rafiqul Islam Lavlu, former secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) Pakshey unit, and fled the scene taking him motorcycle near the bridge around 11:30pm yesterday, leaving him critically injured.

Lavlu was rushed to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex. As his condition deteriorated, doctors referred to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital but he died on the way around 3:00am.

As the death news spread, the leaders and activists of ruling AL and its youth front organisations -- Jubo League and BCL -- blocked the road, halting road communication between northern and southern districts around 6:00am.

A chase and counter chase occurred between police and the agitators when law enforcers rushed to the spot and tried to disperse the AL men, witnesses said. None was hurt during the chase and counter chase.

Around noon, the law enforcers convinced the protesters to withdraw the blockade.

Mostakin Hossain, additional superintendent of Pabna police, confirmed the incident.