8-hr strike in protest of businessman’s murder in Gaibandha

Local residents in Gaibandha began an eight-hour strike on Thursday in protest against the murder of a businessman in the district, reports UNB.

On 20 April, Hasan Ali, the businessman, was found dead in the house of Masud Rana, an Awami League leader in the Khanka Sharif area of the district.

Moments before his death, Hasan sent a text message to one of his relatives alleging that Masood had abducted and tortured him, and also made him sign some papers in the presence of the local policemen.

The strike in protest against the killing began at 6 am and will remain in force till 2 pm. All the shops in the area remained shut while rickshaws and long-distance buses stayed off the roads.

A group of protesters brought out a rally in the rail gate area of the district town in the morning demanding justice for Hasan.

Besides, members of some political parties, businesses and socio-cultural organisations held various programmes in protest of the murder.

“Hasan Killing Protest Mancha”, a group, called the strike. Their demands include justice for Hasan's family and immediate removal of the officer-in-charge (OC) of Sadar police station, Mahfuzur Rahman.

On the basis of the businessman's text message, police lodged an FIR the same day and arrested Masud and recovered the body. The victim's wife subsequently filed a complaint at the local police station against Masud and footwear traders Rumen Haque and Khalilur Rahman Babu.

In her complaint, the victim's wife alleged negligence on part of two police officers.

On 11 April, sub-inspector (SI) Muhammad Touhidul Islam formed a probe committee to investigate the murder. The panel has ASI Rahat Gawhari as convener, ASI (headquarters) Abul Khair and inspector (D-1) Abdul Latif as members.

Meanwhile, local Awami league leader Masud Rana, prime accused in the case, has been suspended from his party. Besides, two police officers have been suspended while another was served a show-cause notice.