'Shootouts' claim 10 more

An alleged drug peddler was killed in a “shootout” with Rab in the capital yesterday, the first such incident in the city since the beginning of a countrywide anti-narcotics drive by the elite force on May 4.

Nine more alleged drug traders were killed in “gunfights” elsewhere in the country yesterday, raising the total number of people killed in “shootouts” to 62 in the last 11 days.  

Of the 10, two died in Netrakona and one each in Mymensingh, Gaibandha, Comilla and Sherpur in “gunfights” with law enforcers.

Three other alleged drug peddlers were shot dead in “gunfights” between their internal groups in Cox's Bazar and Satkhira, police claimed. However, family members of two deceased said plainclothes men had picked them up hours before they were killed.

The recent spate of “shootout” has been continuing despite concern from rights activists over the extrajudicial killings.

In the capital, Kamrul Islam was killed in a “shootout” with Rab in Tejgaon industrial area early yesterday.

The Rab claimed the 35-year-old man was a top-listed drug peddler and accused in at least 15 cases over possessing drugs and firearms.

CONFLICTING REPORTS

However, his family members said Kamrul had been living hand-to-mouth as he ran a makeshift hotel on a footpath near Mohakhali bus terminal area. He had a monthly income of around Tk 6,000.

His wife Taslima Begum said her husband used to peddle drugs around 10 years back. He quit the trade after their first daughter was born.

Kamrul was accused in two to cases, Taslima added.

Sathi Begum, sister-in-law of the deceased, said Kamrul went to her house in Dakshinpara area on Tuesday and took iftar there. He left the house for his hotel around 7:30pm.

“Around 8:00pm, a few people picked him up from in front of the hotel,” Sathi said, adding that Kamrul's phone had been found switched off since then.

In Netrakona, two alleged drug traders were killed in a “gunfight” with police in the town's Monag area. One of the dead is Osman Goni from Cox's Bazar, said Md Borhan Uddin, officer-in-charge of Netrakona Police Station.

The identity of the other man could not be confirmed till last night.

Police claimed to have recovered 700gm heroin, 3,500 yaba pills and two firearms from the spot.

In Mymensingh, alleged drug peddler Rajon Mia, aged about 32, was killed in a “gunfight” with police in the city's Purohitpara area yesterday.

Police claimed to have seized 400 yaba pills, three used bullets and two sharp weapons from the spot.

Rajon was accused in at least eight drug cases, said Kandaker Shaker Ahmed, inspector (investigation) of Mymensingh Sadar Police Station.

Rajon's father Harun said his son used to take drugs previously, but he was not involved in drug trade. He was accused in two cases.

Harun, security officer of a private organisation, also said his son had been traceless since police picked him up from his house early on Tuesday.

In Gaibandha, alleged drug trafficker Jewel Mia, 35, was shot dead in a “shootout” with police in Falia bridge area, about seven kilometres away from the district town, said Khan Mohammed Shaharier, OC of Gaibandha Sadar Police Station.

Police claimed to have recovered a firearm, ammunitions and 500 yaba pills from the spot.

Jewel's wife Rozi Begum said her husband went out of home for buying iftar items on Wednesday afternoon. He remained traceless after two unidentified men had picked him up.

Abdul Mannan Mia, superintendent of police in Gaibandha, said Jewel was accused in a dozen cases.

In Satkhira, alleged drug peddler Younus Ali was killed in a “gunfight” between two groups of drug traders in Sonabaria village of Kolaroa upazila, said Biplob Kumar Nath, OC of Kolaroa Police Station.

Police recovered a firearm, two bullets and 70 bottles of phensedyl from the spot.

Younus's wife Rabeya Khatun said police picked up her husband around 9:30pm on Thursday after he had returned home attending Taraweeh prayers.  

Two more alleged drug traders were killed in separate “gunfights” between drug traders in Moheshkhali and Ramu upazilas of Cox's Bazar.

The body of Akter Kamal, a member of Sabrang Union Parishad in Teknaf, was found lying beside Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive road in Darianagar area, said Monirul Islam, in-charge of Himchhari Police Outpost.

Kamal was a distant relative of local Awami League lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi, said locals.

The police official said Kamal, a listed yaba dealer, died from bullets wounds he sustained during a “gunfight” between two groups of yaba traders.  

Kamal is also a former president of Sabrang union Jubo League. His relatives said some plainclothes men had picked him up from Sabrang area on Thursday evening. 

Meanwhile, Prodip Kumar Das, OC of Moheshkhali Police Station, said Mohammad Mostaque was killed between two groups of arms and yaba traders, led by Mahmudul Haque and Mostaque, in Pahartoli area.

Police claimed to have recovered four firearms and 1,000 yaba pills from the spot.

In Comilla, alleged drug peddler Kamal Hossain was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Burichang upazila. The 51-year-old man was from Rajamongolpur in the district.

According to law enforcers, he was accused in at least 12 drug-related cases. Police claimed to have recovered a firearm and 50kg cannabis from the spot.

In another incident, alleged drug trader Md Azad alias Kalu Dakat was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Satpakia village around 2:30am yesterday, said Md Nazrul Islam, OC of Sherpur Police Station.

Police said Azad was accused in 23 cases. 

• Courtesy: The Daily Star /May 26, 2018