Robbers kill trader, loot six shops in Madaripur

A trader, who sustained bullet injuries during a robbery incident at Miarhaat Bazar in Kalkini upazila early yesterday, died at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital yesterday noon.

The deceased, Swapan Kazi, 40, son of Amin Uddin of Bhabanipur village in the upazila, was the owner of a cosmetics shop at the bazar.

Quoting the shop owners, police said a gang of 20/25 armed robbers entered the market around 1:00am.

They tied the two security guards of the market and looted valuables from Shuvo Jewellers, Mousumi Jewellers, Anchal Jewellers and three other shops, including Swapan's cosmetic shop.

Sensing the presence of the robbers' gang, local people announced the incident over the loudspeaker of a mosque.

As the shop owners stepped in and tried to resist the robbers, the gang opened fire on them, leaving Swapan Kazi and Sohel Mridha bullet-injured.

Affected shop owners claimed that the gang took away 50 tolas of gold ornaments and other valuables from the looted shops.

Locals took the injured duo to Kalkini Upazila Health Complex, from where Swapan was shifted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, as his condition deteriorated.

He died at the hospital around 1:30pm yesterday, said Kripa Sindu Bala, officer-in-charge of Kalkini Police Station.