Two people, including a Shibir activist, were killed in Bogra during the Jamaat-e-Islami-enforced shutdown on Thursday.
Both died due to injuries suffered in separate violent incidents during Thursday’s shutdown. One of them was identified as a businessman and the other a student.
Although the Jamaat-e-Islami claimed both deceased were activists of the party, police said one of them belonged to Comilla and was in Bogra on a business trip.
Cops said the businessman’s name was Mizanur Rahman (30) and claimed he was likely on a trip for his poultry business.
The other deceased was a student of the Government Azizul Haque College. The youth, Ruhani, was reportedly president of the college’s Shibir chapter.
Majedul Rahman Jewel, General Secretary of the Jamaat’s Bogra unit, told bdnews24.com they were picketing in Sabgram area of the town at noon when the incident took place.
The Jamaat activists are said to have forced a pro-government leader down from a motorcycle he was riding. The leader later returned with supporters to launch an attack on the pickets.
The anti-shutdown activists then hacked businessman Mizan with machetes. He died as he was rushed to the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman hospital.
In another event, Shibir leader Ruhani was killed on Thursday morning in the town’s Phulbari area after violent clashes with pro-government forces. He died at noon in a hospital, Jamaat leader Jewel said.
Police have confirmed Ruhani’s death following clashes with pro-government forces, but they are yet to verify how businessman Mizan was killed during the shutdown.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Moqbul Hossain told bdnews24.com, “We are investigating to find the reasons that lead to his death.”
Additional police personnel had been deployed in the town, Office in Charge of the Town Police Station Syed Shahid Alam said.
The nationwide shutdown call was given to press the government to release the senior Jamaat leaders standing trial for crimes against humanity during 1971 and to back the demand for repealing the war crimes tribunals. The BNP supported the strike.bdnews24.com
