Journalist injured in AL infighting dies
A local journalist of Daily Samakal, who got shot during a clash between two groups of Awami League supporters in Sirajganj on Thursday, died yesterday. The slain journalist, Abdul Hakim Shimul, was the Shahjadpur correspondent of the Daily Samakal, said Miraz Uddin Ahmed, superintendent of police in Sirajganj. On Thursday, Shimul was hit in his head by a bullet while covering a clash between the supporters of ousted Shahjadpur Municipality Awami League President Abdur Rahim alias VP Rahim and those of the party units Organisaing Secretary and Poura Mayor
Halimul Haque Miru in Shahjadpur. He was first admitted to a Bogra Hospital and later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Shimul died at about 1pm yesterday while on way to the capital from Bogra As Shimuls condition deteriorated on the way, he was taken to Sakhwat Memorial Hospital where the duty doctor declared him dead, the police SP said.
At least 10 people including Shimul were injured in the factional clash of local Awami League at Shahzadpur upazila. Four of the injured including the journalist got hit by bullets, said Abul Hasnat, assistant superintendent of police in Sirajganj. Earlier on Thursday, supporters of Shahzadpur Municipality Mayor Halimul Haque Miru reportedly beat up Shahzadpur College unit Chhatra League former Vice President Bijoy Hossain, over previous enmity, police said.
Miru allegedly opened fire when the supporters of Bijoy brought out a procession in Monirampur area in the evening protesting the assault, triggering the clash. Mokbul Hossain, brother of the slain journalist, alleged that his brother was killed as he took photos of shooting. Pintu, brother of the mayor, had shot Shimul as he took photos of his shooting, he said.
When asked about the allegation of Shimuls brother, the mayor said, Why I should ever target Shimul. He was my favorite person. Shimul did not receive bullets injuries. He was actually injured from the cocktail blasts that were hurled by my rival group. I only fired blanks, he claimed.
Police seized the shotgun of the mayor and arrested his two brothers BCL leader Hasibul Haque Pintu and Habibul Haque Mintu, who is also general secretary of Pabna district Jatiya Somajtrantik Dal ( JSD), in this connection.
Following the murder, Shajadpur Upazila Chatra League called a half day strike in the Upazila to be observed today. Inspector Rezaul Haque, officer in-charge of Shahjadpur Police Station, said Ershad Ali, uncle of the injured BCL leader Bijoy, filed a case yesterday accusing the mayor and his brothers, among others.
However, till filing the report at 8:30 pm yesterday, no case was filed over the murder of journalist Shimul.
Leaders of local unit of the BCL yesterday brought out a procession protesting Thursdays attack on its procession.
Upazila BCL President Mahbub Wahid Sheikh Kazal said, We demand immediate arrest of the attackers of both Bijoy and journalist Shimul.
According to local sources, the construction work from Shajadpur Dilruba bus terminal to Upazila Sadar is yet to begin although a good amount of time has elapsed since the tender was awarded. BCL leader Bijoy was very vocal about the inactiveness of the contactor. Due to the conflict over the matter, supporters of the contractor, who were backed by the mayor and his brother, severely beat Bijoy. This reportedly triggered the fierce clash that left journalist Shimul dead.
