The city of Madaripur is in turmoil as protests intensify following the murder of Shakil Munshi, 38, the president of the Madaripur Sadar Upazila Sramik Dal.
The members of the BNP and its affiliated organizations have staged protest marches, demanding justice for the killers. Tensions have escalated in the area following the incident.
According to local sources and the police, a committee for the Madaripur Municipality Sramik Dal was recently formed. The brother of the General Secretary of the Madaripur Municipality Awami League, Moniruzzaman Akter Hawlader, namely Youth League leader Liton Hawlader, was appointed as the president of the Madaripur Municipality Sramik Dal. Liton Hawlader is known to have been involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, robbery, murder, and clashes, and is facing multiple charges.
Shakil Munshi had opposed this committee formation because of Liton Hawlader's criminal background. Allegedly, this opposition led to the murder of Shakil Munshi around 10 PM on Sunday night, when Liton Hawlader and his associates attacked Shakil with machetes. Shakil Munshi, the son of Mofazzal Munshi from the New Madaripur area of Madaripur Sadar, succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to Madaripur Sadar Hospital.
The victim's relatives said that Liton Hawlader, along with his associates Al-Amin Hawlader, Jahangir Hawlader, Omar Hawlader, and Hakim Bepari, attacked Shakil, severely injuring him.
Local residents rushed him to the hospital, but he died while undergoing treatment. As news of the death spread, BNP supporters took to the streets in protest, demanding justice for the murderers, and set fire to four of the attackers' houses.
On Monday afternoon, Shakil's autopsy was conducted at Madaripur Sadar Hospital. Following this, BNP and affiliate party workers staged a second protest march, carrying Shakil's body and demanding justice for the killers. Tensions in the area remain high.
Kamrul Hasan, the Secretary of the Madaripur District Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said, "The General Secretary of Madaripur Municipality Awami League, Moniruzzaman Akter Hawlader, has two brothers: one is the Vice President of the District Chhatra League, and the other, Liton, is a Jubo League leader. They are responsible for Shakil's murder. We demand justice."
Mohammad Hemaayet Hossain, Joint Secretary of the District Sramik Dal, said,"Shakil was killed by allies of the Awami League. Liton Hawlader, Anwar Hawlader, Alauddin Nopti, and Akmal Hossain Khan are involved in this murder."
Shakil's brother, Hasan Munshi, General Secretary of the 2nd Ward of Madaripur Municipality BNP, said, "Liton, Al-Amin, Jahangir, and others from the opposing group killed my brother with machetes. They are all affiliated with the Awami League. We demand justice for this murder."
Madadipur's Superintendent of Police, Mohammad Saifuzzaman, confirmed the murder, saying, "A young man named Shakil Munshi has been killed by slashing. Given the tension in the area, additional police forces have been deployed, and efforts to arrest the perpetrators are ongoing."
SO/MB
