Police early yesterday arrested a local Awami League leader and businessman for arbitrarily opening fire on the staff of Barisal Club in the divisional city on Sunday night.
Shafikul Alam Gulzar, 55, a member of the district AL, was sent to jail after his arrest at Athena, one of the two posh hotels and bars owned by him, said Kotwali police.
"He entered the club around 10:00pm and ordered some drink. As it was taking a while to serve him, he took out his revolver and chased us," said the club's supervisor, Md Idris. "We ran in panic while he fired about four shots. The bullets could hit us," he said.
Police arrived later that night at Barisal Club and took Gulzar, who was drunk, to Athena before arresting him there. Two cases were filed against him--one by Barisal Club for attempted murder, and the other by police for abusing his licensed gun. Gulzar was elected a councillor of Barisal city thrice. He joined the AL after it was voted to power in 2008. Before that, he was treasurer of the district BNP.