Jamaat man killed in Satkhira 'shootout'

A Jamaat activist was killed in Satkhira and two leaders of its affiliated student body Islami Chhatra Shibir were injured in Benapole in separate 'shootouts' with law enforcers yesterday.
Sirajul Islam, 45, son of Babar Ali of Chinedanga village, was killed following a police raid at Debhata upazila in Satkhira early yesterday.
Officer-in-Charge Jalal Uddin of Debhata police said they had raided Keortola following information that Jamaat-Shibir men led by Sirajul were holding a secret meeting to carry out subversive activities around 4:00am.
As the police had reached the spot, the Jamaat-Shibir men started hurling hand-made bombs on them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate by opening fire, Jalal claimed.
After a 15-minute 'shootout' the attackers had fled and the police recovered bullet-hit Sirajul from the spot, Jalal said, adding that the victim was pronounced dead at Debhata Upazila Health Complex.
Two police constables were also injured in the gunfight, he said.
Sirajul was wanted in three murder cases, including one for the murder of ruling Awami League leader Abu Raihan, the OC informed.
Sirajul's son Manirul Islam said his father was a vegetable vendor and was involved in Jamaat's politics. He alleged his father was picked up by police on Monday night only to be found dead yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, the district unit Jamaat yesterday enforced a-dawn-to-dusk hartal in Satkhira protesting against a raid by police on a Shibir-operated mess in the town on Friday during which Shibir general secretary Aminur Rahman was killed and seven others were bullet-hit.
Activities at Bhomra Land Port went on normally and no major incident was reported elsewhere during the hartal, reports our Satkhira correspondent.
BENAPOLE SHOOTOUT
Shibir leaders Ruhul Amin, general secretary of Jessore western region unit, and Abul Kashem, president of Benapole municipality unit, were injured in a 'gunfight' with police at Shikri village yesterday, adds our Benapole correspondent.
Apurba Hasan, officer-in-charge of Benapole Port police, said they had conducted a drive at Mahishdanga village and arrested Ruhul and Kashem at midnight.
He claimed a police van carrying the two had come under attack of Shibir activists at Shikri Battola. As the force returned the fire, a 'gunfight' ensued, leaving Ruhul and Kashem injured.
Sub-inspectors Shafiqul Islam and Humayun Kabir were also injured in the 'gunfight' and were admitted to Jessore Medical College Hospital, said the police, adding, a pistol and two bullets were recovered.