AL leader's murder sparks protests in Pabna

The followers of local Awami League leader Bokul Sheikh, who was hacked to death in Pabna yesterday, allegedly torched four houses, ransacked several shops and staged demonstrations in the district town today protesting the murder.

A number of supporters, villagers and family members of Bokul brought out a procession and staged demonstrations by blocking roads in the district town this noon, demanding punishment of the killers.

They also held a rally in front of the Awami League office, where they threatened to go for tougher action if the killers of Bokul are not arrested within the next 24 hours.

Earlier in the day, some agitating followers of Bokul reportedly ransacked several shops and set fire to four houses in Ananto Bazar area protesting the killing.

On information of fire, police and firefighters rushed the spot and brought the fire under control, reports our Pabna correspondent quoting police.

On Friday night, criminals hacked and shot Bokul Sheikh (45), a ward unit joint secretary of AL and a member of Dogasi union parishad, following a clash with a rival group led by one Mokhlesur Rahman over establishing supremacy in the area.

Nasim Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Pabna Sadar Police Station, said the angry protesters set fire to a house of Mokhlesur Rahman and three other houses.

Additional policemen were deployed in Ananto Bazar area as a tense situation was prevailing there after the death of Bokul, the OC said, adding that police are investigating the murder and trying to arrest the culprits.