Ex-Chhatradal leader killed in attack by alleged BNP men in N'ganj
Following the killing, the houses of a local BNP leader and his associates were set ablaze by enraged followers of the victim
A former Chhatradal leader, Pavel Mia (30), was killed in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP activists in Rupganj of Narayanganj.
Following the killing of Pavel, former convenor of the Kanchan municipality unit of Chhatradal, the houses of a local BNP leader and his associates were set ablaze by enraged followers of the victim.
The incident occurred last night (24 December) in the Kanchan municipality area of the upazila, according to police and locals.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
They said tensions had been simmering between Aminul, the member secretary of the municipal Swechchasebak Dal, and Bayezid, general secretary of the BNP Ward-6 unit, over an altercation. Both groups had reportedly issued challenges to confront each other near the Kanchan Municipal Office yesterday.
Witnesses said Bayezid and his associates arrived at the location looking for Aminul and his followers. Pavel, who was attending a temple ceremony nearby, was mistaken for one of Aminul's supporters. Bayezid's men attacked and severely beat him.
Locals rushed Pavel to a private hospital, but he was pronounced dead around 12:30am.
Following the news of Pavel's death, his relatives and Chhatradal supporters set fire to three houses belonging to Bayezid and his followers.
Being informed, Kanchan Fire Service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
Mehdi Islam, senior assistant superintendent of police (G-Circle), said, "Chhatradal leader Pavel was killed over an internal conflict among BNP leaders and activists. Additional police forces have been deployed in the area, and efforts are underway to apprehend the accused."
He stated that while three houses were burned [following the death], no casualties were reported from the fire.
Pavel's elder brother Shahin said, "Tension was prevailing between the two groups, and we urged them to stay calm. The matter was supposed to be resolved with the intervention of senior BNP leaders this morning (25 December). However, Bayezid and his men took matters into their own hands, leading to Pavel's death."
BNP leader Bayezid could not be reached for comments over the phone.
