Bullet-hit Sramik Dal leader dies, hartal called in Bagerhat today

Sadekul Islam, also Chairman of Teligati Union Parishad of Morrelganj Upazila, was injured in a gun attack near Gabtola Bus Stand.

One of the bullets that pierced Sadekul's lungs could not be dislodged, as the surgeons considered it too risky. His death, however, occurred when preparations were being made to send him to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

His body was taken to Bagerhat town after autopsy at the KMCH morgue. The first namaj-e-janaza was held after Juma prayers at the Swadhinata Square, which was attended by a large number of people including leaders of all political parties.

However, no leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami was seen attending the janaza. Notable among those present were Bagerhat district AL President and former state minister Dr Mozammel Hossain, former state minister Talukder Abdul Khaleque MP and General Secretary of district BNP Shamsul Alam Talukder.

The second janaza was held after Asr prayers at Teligati. He was laid to rest in his family graveyard at his village home.

Elected twice as chairman of Teligati Union Parishad, the labour leader was murdered in a planned way by his political opponents to stop him for good from contesting either upazila parishad election or the next parliamentary election for which he was making preparations, said Advocate Fakir Mansur Ali, General Secretary of the district Awami League (AL).

Relatives said the murder might be a sequel either to political rivalry or his refusal to pay huge amount of money as toll recently demanded by the extremists.

Bagerhat unit of AL and all its front organisations have blamed BNP-Jamaat alliance for the murder of Sadekul Islam.

While refuting the allegation BNP leaders have urged the AL leaders not to fish in troubled waters.

We are yet to unearth the reason behind the murder, said Bagerhat Police Superintendent Mesbahuddin, while giving assurance of a fair investigation into the killing.

Combing Operation is on at Morrelganj and Kachua upazilas and 23 people have so far been taken into custody for questioning.

A half-day hartal was observed yesterday in Bagerhat in response to the call given on Thursday by Awami League in protest against the murder. All shops and business establishments in Bagehrat town and Morrelganj upazila remained closed. Transport services were suspended yesterday.

Awami League and its front organisations brought out processions demanding immediate arrest of the killers. The district AL will also enforce a half day hartal in Bagerhat today and has called for a three-day mourning programme.

Tension in Bagerhat town mounted when BNP brought out an anti-hartal procession. Stray clashes of the processionists with AL and Jubo League supporters were reported from different places.

Police have stepped up security around BNP, Jamaat and Awami League party offices. Joint forces are patrolling round the clock to face any unpleasant situation.

Meanwhile, the outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party's (PBCP) Bagerhat regional committee (Janajuddho) claimed responsibility for the killing of Awami League leader Sadekul Islam.

In a Fax message to some local newspapers one Amit Hasan on behalf of the underground party claimed responsibility for the 'liquidation' of the UP chairman branding him 'an extortionist and a rapist.'

The message also claimed that Sadekul Islam used to misappropriate money realised from innocent people in the name of providing them jobs abroad. It further claimed that the labour leader was a 'land grabber'. The message concluded with the claim that the 'physical liquidation' is part of the PBCP's continued struggle against 'class enemies.'