Hartal, protests, black flags in Uzirpur

Local WP and 11-Party Alliances called the hartal and organised the protest meetings, addressed by central leaders of the parties including WP chief Rashed Khan Menon and leaders of Hindu Buddha Christian Oikkya Parishad (HBCOP).

Babu Lal, 48, was shot dead and several others including his wife Shima Rani Shil, 35 and brother-in-law Liton Shil, 30, were injured as unidentified gun men sprayed bullet on them at his Uzirpur Bandar residence Friday evening.

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The killers had entered the drawing room during loadshedding and escaped by exploding bombs and chanting slogans in favour of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), witnesses said.

Shima Rani, Liton and two others--Kabir and Sumon-- are being treated at Barisal Medical College Hospital.

It was the third political killing in Uzirpur upazila in three months.

Babu Lal was also vice-president of Barisal district Jubo Moitri and a leader of HBCOP.

Political circles in Uzirpur said Babu Lal became the target of outlawed Sarbaharas and terrorist gangs as he tried to organise local people against the toll collection, killings and other crimes. He had protested the murder of political leaders Nittayananda Master, Dr Hiralal and UP Chairman Aboni Baroi.

People spontaneously responded to the hartal, called to protest the popular political leader.

Speakers at the meetings demanded immediate arrest of the killers and government steps to stop such killings.

The body of Babu Lal was handed over to his relatives after autopsy at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

His family members did not file any case till writing of the report yesterday morning. Police could not arrest any of the killers.