Jashore businessman Rana Pratap Bairagi killing not linked to religion, journalism: Govt

The interim government today (6 January) said the killing of Jashore businessman Rana Pratap Bairagi cannot be linked to religion or any journalistic matter, stressing that local police have confirmed the victim was already an accused in a murder case.

"You know that a murder took place in Jessore yesterday, after which attempts were made in various places to spread propaganda by using the religious identity of the individual and claiming that a journalist was killed," Chief Adviser's Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present. 

Businessman gunned down in Jashore

Media reported that Rana Pratap Bairagi, acting editor of Narail-based daily BD Khobor, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jashore's Manirampur upazila on Monday evening.

The 45-year-old victim owned an ice factory.

Foyez said local police authorities have informed that the victim had long been involved in extremist politics and was previously accused in a murder case. "You are aware that there have been past issues related to extremist politics in that area," he added.

Foyez said there are multiple factions involved, and the incident occurred in that context.

He emphasised that there is no religious or journalistic connection to the killing. "This was the result of an old enmity linked to extremist politics. Police have already begun investigations and are working to arrest those involved," he added.

Case filed, motive behind murder not yet been confirmed

According to police, the incident took place around 5:45pm yesterday at Kopalia Bazar in Manirampur. Three assailants arrived on a motorcycle, called Rana Pratap out of his ice factory, and took him to a nearby alley in front of Kopalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre. He was then shot at close range in the head and had his throat slit, killing him on the spot.

Following the killing, Rana's father, Tushar Kanti Bairagi, filed a murder case with Manirampur Police Station today against unidentified accused.

Manirampur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Rajiullah Khan told The Business Standard that the motive behind the murder has not yet been confirmed. "The investigation is ongoing, and no one has been arrested so far," he said, adding that the body was handed over to the family after an autopsy."

Assistant Superintendent of Police of Manirampur Circle Imdadul Haque said multiple law enforcement teams are working simultaneously to identify and arrest those responsible.

According to police, Rana Pratap had long been involved in extremist politics and had multiple criminal cases against him, including a murder case filed with Abhaynagar Police Station and another case under the Explosives Act with Keshabpur Police Station.