Child shot dead, father hospitalised after attack over political feud in Hatia

A child has been killed and his father wounded by bullets during an attack in Noakhali’s Hatia Upazila.

The attack occurred in the upazila’s Ward-4 in the Hatia municipal area around 8pm on Sunday, said Md Kamruzzaman Sikder, officer-in-charge of Hatia Police Station. 

The deceased was identified as 10-year-old Nirob Uddin, a fifth-grader at the local Rahmania Fazil Madrasa. 

His father Miraj Uddin has been admitted to Noakhali General Hospital with bullet wounds.

Police said Miraj is an activist with a local wing of the Awami League. It has been alleged that he was involved in a long feud with another faction of the political party.

In 2015, a clash occurred between the supporters of two local AL candidates Yusuf Ali and his opposition Saif Uddin Ahmed over the mayoral race in the Hatia municipal area. Later Yusuf, a supporter of local Parliament Member Ayesha Ferdaus, was elected as mayor.

Miraj told the media that he had worked for the campaign of Saif Uddin during the campaign, which led to the conflict with other members of the party.

Miraj alleged that, at least 20 to 30 people came to his house at night, fired indiscriminately and left he and his son injured.

The two was rushed to the local state-run hospital where the doctors declared Nirob dead.

His body has been sent to hospital morgue for autopsy. Police are awaiting a formal allegation from Miraj, said OC Kamruzzaman.  

bdnews24.com was not able to contact Yusuf Ali for comment.