Ex-BCL leader shot dead in Noakhali

A former Chhatra League leader was shot dead and three others were injured as criminals opened fire on them at Radhapur village in Sadar upazila early yesterday.
The deceased was identified as Mehedi Hasan alias Jasim, son of Mofiz Ullah of Koroitola village of the upazila and also former joint convener of BCL Laxmipur Government College unit.
Victim's mother Shamsunnahar and sisters Shefali Begum and Razia Begum said, Mehedi Hasan had taken shelter at his maternal uncle Golam Mawla's house fearing attack by a rival group with whom he had enmity over a piece of disputed land.
The gang entered the house of Golam Mawla early yesterday and sprayed bullets indiscriminately on Mehdi, leaving him dead on the spot.
Three others -- Golam Mawla, also joint convener of union AL, Masud and Abdul Hye were injured as they tried to resist the attackers. They are now being treated at Laxmipur Sadar Hospital.
Sources told UNB that extortionists belonging to notorious Shamim Bahini of the area had demanded Tk 5 lakh from Mehdi on his return from abroad last month. The gang attacked Mehdi as he refused to pay the illegal toll, they said.
Protesting the attack, activists of local Awami League and Jubo League blocked Dhaka-Laxmipur highway in Jaksin Bazar point for two hours from 8:00am.
Liton Dewan, officer in-charge (investigation) at Laxmipur Sadar police station said that victim's father Mofiz Ullah filed a case with the police station against 22 people, identifying 12 of them.
Police nabbed Waziullah and Shafiullah suspecting their involvement with the incident, added the OC.