3 put on remand over clash, murder in Khulna

A Khulna court has placed three accused of the murder case that was filed after three people were killed and several others were injured when Jakaria group opened fire on villagers in Moshiali of the district on Thursday. 

Khulna Sessions Judge Tarikul Islam on Sunday granted an eight-day remand for Sheikh Zafrin Hassan and seven-day for Arman and Jahangir each after the investigation officer of the case Sub-Inspector Lutfur Haider produced them before the court seeking a ten-day remand for each.

Kanai Lal Sarker, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), said this to The Business Standard today.

On Saturday, the father of one of the victims, Saidul Islam, filed the murder case against 22 people – including suspended Awami League leader Sheikh Jakaria Hasan, his two brothers and suspended Chhatra League leaders Sheikh Zafrin Hassan and Milton, and their associates Jahangir and Arman – with Khanjahan Ali Police Station.

Police on Sunday arrested the 14th accused, Rahim Akunji, of the case from the backside of BKSP near the Bypass road of the district. 

Earlier at 9pm on Thursday, Jakaria group shot Nazrul Islam, 60, and Golam Rosul, 30, dead.

Eight to ten others, including Saiful Islam, sustained gunshot wounds at that time.

Jakaria, Jafrin, Kabir and Milton handed over an innocent man named Mujibur with local weapons to police around 5:30pm on that day, locals said.

They went to Jakaria's house to find out about Mujibur's arrest. 

At one stage, the locals got into a brawl with the group. Jakaria, Jafrin, Kabir, and Milton who were armed suddenly opened fire at them.

Later, the injured were taken to Fultola Upazila Health Complex where Nazrul and Rosul succumbed to bullet injuries.

The others who were injured were shifted to Khulna Medical College Hospital after initial treatment. Among them, Saiful, 22, died at 12:15am.

As the news broke out, angry villagers beat Jakaria's aide and cousin Zihad Sheikh, 30, to death at around 2am.

Later, the furious villagers also vandalised and set fire to 10 houses, including the houses and business establishments of Awami League leaders Jakaria, Jafrin, Kabir and Milton.

Earlier, Jakaria became a candidate for the post of secretary in the election of Moshiali Purbapara Mosque committee, and yesterday was the day of the election.

However, the villagers turned into Jakaria's opponents as the Awami League leader is involved in drug peddling, illegal arms trade and loan-sharking, the locals said.

Jakaria was removed from the post of assistant publicity secretary of Khanjahan Ali thana Awami League unit on Thursday night for allegedly shooting a few villagers dead, the unit's President Sheikh Abid Hossain said.

Also, locals on Friday marched demanding the execution of Zakaria, Jafrin, Kabir, and Milton when the law enforcers came to the spot.