Killing of 2 AL men: Families point finger at rival faction

Family members yesterday blamed political opponents for the killing of two former ruling party leaders in Lakshmipur as police failed to arrest anyone involved with the incident.

Around 9:30pm on Tuesday, unidentified miscreants opened fire on Abdullah Al Noman, 36, former general secretary of the district unit Jubo League and Rakib Uddin Imam, former organising secretary of the district unit BCL, in the Nagarhat area under Bashikpur union.

They were rushed to Sadar Hospital in critical condition. Noman was declared dead by doctors there, said Sohel Rana, additional superintendent of police.

Rakib was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but died on the way around 11:30pm, Sohel added.

Tohidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Chandraganj Police Station, said police are conducting drives, but couldn't arrest any suspect.

Asked, the OC refused to comment on the possible motives behind the killings, saying the matter is under investigation.

However, family members of the victims claimed that the duo were killed due to political rivalry.

Mahfuzur Rahman, Noman's elder brother and chairman of Bashikpur Union Parishad, told The Daily Star that his political rivals, who were defeated in the last union parishad elections, were behind the murders.

He accused the former chairman and vice president of Awami League's Chandraganj unit Abul Kashem Jihadi and his associates of being involved in the killings.

In the last union parishad election, Mahfuzur contested as an independent candidate and defeated Awami League candidate Jihadi.

"After the defeat, Jihadi had been threatening me and my family," he said.

The Daily Star could not reach out to Abul Kashem Jihadi despite several attempts.

No case was filed in connection with the double murder till this report was filed last night.