Death of 'abducted' landless sparks violent protest

Demonstrators barricade the Satkhira-Jessore road in front of Satkhira Deputy Commissioner's office' on Sunday demanding arrest of killers of lansless Abul Hossain. PHOTO: STAR

The landless people are preparing for demonstrations on Wednesday protesting the killing and alleged police "inaction" in arresting the accused.

Abul Hossain Sardar, 60, of Bairagirchak village in Kaligonj upazila was allegedly abducted on the night of June 2and tortured by a group of criminals. He was admitted to Satkhira Sadar Hospital in a critical condition, where he died the next day.

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The victim's younger brother Shahidul Islam filed a case with Kaliganj thana Sunday night accusing 36 people. The accused include Bashir Ahmed, Mani Sardar, Hasan Mir, Halim and Rezaul.

Thousands of landless people brought out a procession with the body of the victim on Sunday in the town protesting the killing and demanding arrest and punishment to the killers.

Abul Hossain was buried at Shaheed Zaheda Nagar graveyard in Kaliganj yesterday.

Hundreds of landless people took part in the Janaja held after the Zohr prayer.

A court in Satkhira town yesterday rejected the bail prayer of the main accused Bashir Ahmed who was arrested after violent clashes on Sunday between police and landless people in and around the police station. At least 38 people including three policemen were injured. The injured police officials are SI Tajuddin and cops are Nazim and Asad.

All the injured except the three policemen were admitted to Satkhira hospital.

On contact, Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Shahjahan said, a general diary was lodged for pelting brick bats at the thana and damaging furniture.

Satkhira Police Superintendent Fazlur Rahman held a meeting with leaders of Landless Eviction Resistance Committee Sunday night urging them to maintain law and order. He said stern action will be taken against the killers of Abul Hossain.

At the meeting held at his conference room, leaders of the committee urged the SP to arrest the killers and rehabilitate the landless people evicted by land grabbers.