BNP rebel candidate’s supporter stabbed to death in Mymensingh; two detained

A supporter of a BNP rebel candidate from Mymensingh-1 was stabbed to death in the district's Dhobaura upazila last evening.

Police have detained two people in connection with the murder that took place at Ershad Bazar in Dhobaura around 6:00pm.

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The deceased was identified as Nazrul Islam, 40, of Ramsinghpur village of South Maizpara union in Dhobaura upazila. He was a supporter of independent candidate Salman Omar Rubel from Mymensingh-1 (Haluaghat–Dhobaura) constituency.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Md Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the incident.

Quoting local people, the police official said the election office of Salman was inaugurated at Ershad Bazar. While leaving the venue after the inauguration, an altercation broke out between two groups, which later turned into a clash.

During the clash, Nazrul Islam was critically injured after being stabbed. He was rushed to Dhobaura upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctor declared him dead, the ASP said.

Salman alleged, "A planned attack was carried out whilst my activists were leaving after the inauguration of the office, my supporter, Nazrul Islam, was stabbed to death. The attackers are activists of BNP nominee. We demand the immediate arrest of those involved."

Denying his activists' involvement in the killing, BNP nominee and party's Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince said that he was informed that the incident occurred over previous enmity. "If my activists are involved in such a heinous crime, police should arrest them to bring them to book, and I am zero tolerance over the incident," said Prince.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhobaura Police Station, Md Shafiqul Islam said, "The killing occurred during a clash between two factions of BNP. The scene has been inspected, and legal proceedings are underway."

No written complaint was filed as of today, the OC said this afternoon.

The additional superintendent of police further said police rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information and brought the situation under control. At present, the overall law and order situation in the area is under control, and additional surveillance has been strengthened, said the official.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident, but their identities have not yet been disclosed as verification is underway. Police drives are on to arrest the culprits, the official added.