10 BNP leaders, activists sued over woman’s killing in Ukhiya

A murder case was filed last night (18 May) with Ukhiya Police Station over the death of a woman who was allegedly killed while trying to save her son from an attack in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya upazila.

The victim's son, Abdur Rahman, filed the case naming 10 leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations, along with seven to eight unidentified individuals.

Confirming the matter, Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mujibur Rahman said, "The case was recorded based on the complaint filed by the victim's son. Police are currently working to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice."

The deceased, Saida Khatun, 55, was the wife of Sabbir Ahmed from Taipalong village in Rajapalong union of the upazila.

The main accused in the case is Mizan Sikder, a member of the Ukhiya upazila BNP.

Other named accused include his son and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Hashem Sikder Jisan, local BNP leader and government health department ambulance driver Shamsul Alam, Ward-7 BNP President Abdul Karim and his son, Chhatra Dal leader Zulfikar Akash, Ward BNP General Secretary Saied Babul, Rajapalong Union Sramik Dal (South) President Saiful Islam Sikder, Jahangir Alam, Jamal Uddin, and Rafique Uddin.

According to the case statement, a group of men launched an attack on Abdur Rahman in Taipalong village on the night of 16 May. When his mother, Saida Khatun, rushed to his rescue, she was severely beaten by the attackers and died on the spot.

"My mother was killed in front of my eyes. I named those whom I saw at the scene in the case. I will continue the legal fight until the killers are brought to justice," Abdur Rahman said.

According to local sources, the attack stemmed from a dispute over the writing of the slogan "Joy Bangla" on a wall in the Taipalong area of Rajapalong union.