Another BNP leader dies in Chuadanga

Earlier, Noor Ali, vice-president of Chuadanga district BNP and general secretary of Chuadanga Union Parishad Association (UPA), died from injuries in the same attack. He was also chairman of Sangkarchandra Union Parishad in Chuadanga Sadar upazila.

Janajuddho faction of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) claimed responsibility for the killings.

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In protest against the killings, ruling BNP observed a half-day hartal in Chuadanga on Thursday and demanded removal of Chuadanga Police Superintendent Md. Sarwar and officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar police station Nazrul Islam Mollah.

On Thursday, thousands of leaders and activists of ruling BNP brought out protest rally in Chuadanga town.

In a statement local BNP joint secretary Sardar Ali Hossain criticised the district police authorities for their negligence in duty and demanded removal of the SP and the OC.

Police could not arrest any of the killers till yesterday.

Janajuddho, in a statement signed by its 'regional leader' Dipok Roy, faxed to local daily Mathabhanga office claimed responsibility for the murders. It said they have been murdered to "avenge the killings of their party men in so-called 'crossfire' launched by the four party alliance government".

The outlawed party said Noor Ali was a 'social enemy' and threatened of more such killings in the southwestern region of the country.

A case was filed with the Sadar police station in connection with the murdered.

When contacted, Assistant Police Superintendent (ASP) of Chuadanga circle Jotindranath Poddar said they are trying to nab the killers.

In another incident, Janajuddho cadres shot dead their 'rival' at Changamari village in Gangni upazila in Meherpur district Wednesday night.

The dead was identified as Maniruzzaman alias Lalu, 38.

Janajuddho, in another statement faxed to local newspapers, claimed responsibility for the killing and said Lalu was a police informer.

Police said Janajuddho men stormed into the house of Lalu at about 9.30 pm and called him out. They took Lalu on a road and shot him, killing him on the spot.

Police said Lalu was also a cadre of Janajuddho and accused in several criminal cases.