BNP activist killed in alleged political attack in Bagerhat’s Sarankhola
A BNP activist was killed in an alleged attack by political rivals in Sarankhola upazila of Bagerhat last night (28 February).
The deceased was Ariful Islam Masum, 26, a Malaysia-based expatriate who was scheduled to return to his workplace in Malaysia later this week.
Family members alleged that activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami were responsible for the attack.
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According to relatives, Masum was returning home after having dinner at his in-laws' house around 8pm when a group of 20 to 25 people, allegedly led by local Jamaat activists Afzal Boyati and Barek Sharif, intercepted and assaulted him.
Southkhali union BNP President Shahidul Islam Liton said they received information after Tarawih prayers that Jamaat activists had detained and beaten Masum.
He said he went to the scene along with the in-charge of Tafalbari Police Outpost and local Jamaat leaders.
"After we arrived, Masum was brought to us in a critical condition by two or three people. When we asked him about the incident, he suddenly vomited. He was immediately taken to Sarankhola Upazila Health Complex, where doctors later declared him dead," Liton said.
He further alleged that tensions had been prevailing in the area before and after the recent national election, and that clashes had occurred in two phases, leaving members of both Jamaat and BNP injured.
He claimed the latest attack was a continuation of that conflict and demanded legal action against those involved.
Sarankhola Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Saminul Haque said police were sent to the spot after receiving reports of an attack.
"Later, Rafiqul Islam Masum, a Malaysia-based expatriate, died while undergoing treatment at the hospital," he said.
The body will undergo an autopsy at the Bagerhat District Hospital morgue today, he said.
The OC added that police have launched an investigation based on allegations made by the victim's family and political leaders, and legal action will be taken following the findings of the post-mortem report.
