Ward-level Jamaat leader killed at Rajabazar home

A leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was killed at his home in Dhaka’s Paschim Rajabazar early yesterday.

The deceased -- Anwar Ullah, 65, a homeopathic practitioner -- was vice-president of ward-27 of Dhaka North City Corporation.

His son-in-law, Md Shamsuddoha, said two masked men entered the house around 2:00am after cutting the grille and tortured Anwar, tying his hands.

“My mother-in-law called me around 5:00am and informed me about the incident. I rushed to the house and found him unconscious. A scarf was wrapped around his neck,” he told The Daily Star.

The killers took away some valuables and gold jewellery.

Anwar was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, Shamsuddoha added.

Originally from Cumilla, Anwar Ullah was a teacher and had been living in the first-floor flat with his wife.

Police and members of the Crime Scene Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department rushed there and collected evidence.

Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Sub-inspector Rubayet Rakib, in the inquest report, states that injury marks were found on the deceased’s forehead and right knee.

The report mentioned that unknown assailants killed him by tying his hands, gagging his mouth with clothes, and torturing him.

Akkas Ali, assistant commissioner of Tejgaon Zone police, said CCTV footage showed two individuals entering the house, and police suspect the intruders killed the man and stole valuables. “We are investigating the matter.”

Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Monir said CCTV footage suggests the suspects went there to commit theft and killed Anwar.

The house’s security guard, Rezaul Islam, said he heard no noise. Around 5:00am, Anwar’s eldest son-in-law, who lives in the same building, informed him that a robbery had occurred and that Anwar was in critical condition.

The deceased’s brother, Ahsan Ullah, said that, as far as they know, Anwar had no disputes with anyone.

The body was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College morgue for autopsy.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka city North Ameer Mohammad Selim Uddin and Secretary Muhammad Rezaul Karim condemned the killing. In a joint statement, they demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators.