Jubo League cadre killed in 'gunfight'

A Jubo League man was killed in a “shootout” between his cohorts and members of Rapid Action Battalion in Barisal city yesterday.
The dead, Faruq Ahmed alias Panama Faruq, 46, was son of Yaqub Ali Mia of Bazar Road area.
He was a listed criminal and accused in over one dozen cases for murder, extortion, grabbing public and private properties and other criminal activities, said Sakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station.
Nizamul Islam Nizam, convener of Barisal city Jubo League, said Faruq was an active member of the unit but did not hold any post.
Rab-8 sources said a patrol team in Chawak Bazar area tried to intercept a group of people around 6:30am, seeing their suspicious movement.   
Instead of halting, the people started firing, triggering a gun battle with the Rab members, the sources added.
Faruq was caught in the line of fire at one stage and died on the spot, said Lt Colonel Gulzar, in charge of media wing at Rab-8.   
Others managed to flee the scene.
Several firearms including two pistols and a pipe gun, bullets, and three sharp weapons were recovered from the spot, Gulzar added.
The body was sent to Barisal Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy.
Police said Faruq was sent to jail after he surrendered before a court in 2009.
After release from jail, he started grabbing public and private properties in the city's commercial areas, police mentioned.
However, Faruq's father demanded justice against the “killing” of his son without trial.
How Faruq became 'Panama Faruq'
Faruq was known as “Panama Faruq” for his family business titled Panama Traders.
He and his younger brother Mahbubur Rahman Chhokku formed a gang named Panama Bahini around 1998, creating a reign of terror in the city under the banner of Jubo League.   
The gang attacked Barisal Press Club in 1999.
The duo went into hiding after the BNP-led alliance government came to power in 2001.
Faruq returned to the city from his hideout after the AL-led government assumed power in 2008 and got bail from the court in most of his cases.
He was defeated as a councillor candidate in last Barisal City Corporation election.