3 more killed as alleged gunfights continue

Three men were killed in what the law enforcement called gunfights in Kushtia, Munshiganj and Cumilla districts early Sunday.

Police claimed two of the deceased were drug traders while the other a robber, reports news agency UNB.

The law enforcement’s versions of the events, however, could not be verified independently as no version of those incidents was available immediately either from any witnesses or from any members of the victims’ families.

In Kushtia, Nazmul Malitha, 40, son of a certain Miraj Malitha of Taragunia in Daulatpur upazila was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Shaldah area of sadar upazila.

He was implicated in several cases, police said.

Being informed about a 'gunfight' between two groups of drug traders, a team of police conducted a raid in the area.

Sensing the presence of police, the drug traders stopped infighting and opened fire on them, forcing the law enforcers to shot back, triggering the gunfight, leaving Nazmul with bullet injured.

The injured was rushed to Kushtia General Hospital where physicians declared him dead.

Four policemen were also injured in the gunfight, said the OC adding that they recovered 500 yaba tablets, a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of bullet and two magazines from the spot.

In Munshiganj, Humayun Bepari, 30, son of late Mohon Bepari of Kalirchar village was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Taleshwar area in sadar upazila around 2:00am.

Humayun was a suspected robber and accused in six cases, police said.

Police arrested Humayun from Charmuktarpur area around 11:30pm on Saturday, said Alamgir Hossain, officer-in-charge of sadar police station.

Later, they conducted a drive along with Humayun to recover arms.

When the team reached in the area, members of “Humayun Bahini” opened fire on them and tried to snatch away Humayun, prompting the law enforcers to fire back, triggering the gunfight.

Humayun sustained bullet injuries during the gunfight, said the OC.

Later, he was rushed to Munshiganj General Hospital where physicians declared him dead.

In Cumilla, Mangal Miah, 55, son of Babor Ali of Bittola village in Daudkandi upazila, and accused in 21 cases, was killed in a reported gunfight with police in Pirchar area of Chandina upazila around 3:30am.

Abul Foysal, officer-in-charge of Chandina police station, said that police also recovered a LG, 2 round bullets, 500 piece yaba tablets and 50 bottles of Phensidyl from the spot.

According to the human rights group, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a total of 421 people were killed in alleged gunfights, crossfires or shootouts with the law enforcement agencies in 2018.

In January 2019, the number of such killing was 23, the rights body said on its website.