2 drug peddlers shot in clashes with cops

Two alleged drug peddlers were shot in separate 'gunfights' with police in Sadar and Debhata upazilas of the district early yesterday.

They are Biswajit Sarkar, 22, of Palashpol Madhumollar Dangi village in Sadar upazila, and Nuruzzaman, 24, of Baliadanga village in Debhata upazila.

In Sadar upazila, being informed that illegal drugs were being sold in Bejurdanga Bridge area of Islampur village, a police team raided there around 1:30am, said Kamal Hossain, sub-inspector (SI) of Satkhira police superintendent's office.

Sensing presence of the team, some unidentified drug peddlers hurled crude bombs at the law enforcers, forcing them to retaliate that triggered a gunfight between them.

Police later found bullet-hit Biswajit and recovered 100 Yaba tablets and four bottles of phensidyl from the spot, said the SI.

Another team of Debhata Police Station led by sub-inspectors -- Nazmul Alam and Masuduzzaman -- conducted a drive in Bismillah brick kiln area at Pushpakathi village in the wee hours of yesterday.

During the raid, a gang swooped on police and exploded crude bombs, triggering another gunfight that left Nuruzzaman injured.

Later, the law enforcers seized 20 bottles of phensidyl and two bottles of Indian liquor from the scene.

The two are now undergoing treatment at Satkhira Sadar Hospital with bullet injuries in their legs, said Parimal Kumar Biswas, a doctor at the emergency unit of the hospital.

However, Aminul Mollah, father of Nuruzzaman, claimed that his son was not involved in any illegal drug trading.

Police picked him up from Ashu Market area on Sunday and he heard about the gunfight in the morning.