29 'top criminals' killed in 'cross fire' in two districts in six months

However, Rab and police sources announced they had been killed in crossfire while recovering arms following their arrest.

Meanwhile, 'top criminals' in the two districts prefer jail to stay outside it.

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'Their lives are at stake outside jail,' according to a relative of a leader of the outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP), 'Bere-Rabi' of Sailakupa upazila in Jhenidah. It was disclosed during a conversation with this correspondent recently.

Ten criminals were killed in Jhenidah while the rest were killed in Chuadanga.

The latest victims are Purba Bangla Communist Party (PBCP) cadres Mannan of Hemayetpur village, Mahbub Ali and Habibul Islam of Fatehpur village and Khairul Islam, Borhanuddin, and Giasuddin of Par-Laxmipur village in Alamdanga upazila, Chuadanga district.

According to police, Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML) cadre Mannan was killed at Damurhuda in Chuadanga in a crossfire with police during arms recovery on November 30 while Mahbub and Habib were killed on November 26 in a crossfire during recovery of arms after their arrest. Three others were killed in gun fight.

Asadur Rahman Asad, a leader of BCP, southwestern region, was killed in a crossfire at village Ghorasal in Jhenidha Sadar upazila on November 25 when DB (Detective Branch) of police had been recovering arms, police said.

Mosharaf alias Mosha, a regional leader of Janajuddho faction of PBCP was killed in a cross fire with police at village Kalpart in Jhenidah Sadar upazila on November 24.

Outlawed BCP leader Shajahan alias Shahaj was killed in a shootout between Rab and an armed BCP man at village Arutia in Maheshpur upazila in Jhenidah on November 21.

BCP activists Ehsanul Bari alias Babau and Turki were killed in crossfire with police at village Kacherkhol in Sailakupa upazila while Jafirul Islam another activist of the same outfit was killed in another shootout with Rab at village Joradah-Bherikhali village in Harinakundu upazila, Jhenidah on November 16.

A 'top criminal,' Shahidul Islam alias Kota was killed in a shootout between police and his aides at village Dinonathpr in Chudanga Sadar upazila on November 9.

An inter-district bandit, Montu was killed at Pallal village in Koatchandpur upazila, Jhenidah on November 8.

Sawakt Hossain alias Zakir, another outlawed cadre was killed in a crossfire with police at village Sreepur in Jhenidah Sadar while another criminal Boma-Sharif was killed in Alamdanga upazila, Chudanga on November 5.

BCP cadres Rajkumar and Abdul Mazid were killed in crossfire with police at village Pikepara in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila on October 31.

Other outlaws who were killed in crossfire at different villages in Chudanga are as follows. Rifat alias Kafil of Gargari village was killed on October 30, Hashem and Tiger of Khadimpur, both were killed on October 9, Abdul Malek alias Pavel of Atharakhada was killed on October 8, Kuddus of village Howli was killed on October 24, Khabir Bahini chief Khabir of Alamdanga College Para was killed on August 11, Zia of Pachkampalpur and Uzzal of Atharakhada villages were killed on June 30, Arif of Iswarpur village was killed on June 5, Zinarul alias Zina and Saban alias Khokoan in Chuadanga Sadar upazila were killed on May 12.