Sramik Dal leader hacked to death in Madaripur

Locals say Shakil was attacked when the assailants caught him alone following an alleged row over the formation of a committee

A leader of the Sramik Dal -- the BNP’s worker wing -- has been hacked to death by rivals in Madaripur over a power struggle and row surrounding the formation of a committee.

The attack occurred at 10pm on Sunday in the Sadar Upazila’s "Natun Madaripur" village.

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Shakil Munshi, president of the Madaripur Sadar Upazila Sramik Dal, according to Md Jahangir Alam, additional superintendent of Madaripur police.

Shakil was involved in a conflict with an individual named Liton Howladar over control of the town’s BSCIC Industrial City area, according to police and locals.

Liton, his nephew Alamgir and 15-20 others allegedly caught Shakil alone at night and attacked, hacking him to death. Locals rushed to the scene when they heard his screams and two people were allegedly hacked and injured.

Police and army personnel rushed to the scene when the incident was reported. The attackers had fled by the time they arrived. The injured were admitted to the Madaripur District Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Shakil’s brother Ranju Mansir alleges, “A recent committee was announced with the controversial Liton Howladar as the president of the Madaripur Municipality Sramik Dal. When Shakil protested this, Liton was incensed. That is why Liton and his nephew attacked Shakil and hacked him to death.”

SP Jahangir said, “One person has been killed in a clash over a power struggle between two sides. Police are conducting a raid to catch those responsible. Additional police and army personnel have been deployed in the area.”