2 'criminals' killed in 'shootouts'

Two alleged criminals, including a charge-sheeted accused in Fulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque murder case, were killed in “gunfights” with law enforcers in Feni and Rangpur yesterday.

Deceased Sohel alias Ruti Sohel, 35, stood accused in eight criminal cases, including one for the murder of Ekramul, reports our Feni correspondent, quoting Rashed Khan Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Feni Sadar Police Station. 

Rab members raided Birinchi area in Feni town around 4:30am, acting on information that some criminals were taking preparation for committing a robbery, said Squadron Leader Shafayet Jamil Fahim, commander of Rab-7.  

Sensing the presence of Rab, the robbers opened fire. In retaliation, Rab returned fire, triggering a “gunfight”. During the gun battle, Sohel was hit by bullets and died on the spot, Fahim added.

Rab also claimed to have recovered a pistol, a revolver and five bullets from the spot.

The body of Sohel was sent to Feni Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Ekramul, also the president of Fulgazi upazila unit Awami League, was shot and burnt to death in his car in broad daylight on May 20, 2014.

A murder case was filed with Feni Model Police Station, accusing Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury Minar, president of Fulgazi upazila unit BNP, and 30 to 35 unknown people.

Later, AL leader Jihad Chowdhury was arrested on May 25 the same year as one of the masterminds behind the murder. The arrest was made a day after Rab had said Jihad, a close aide to Feni-2 AL lawmaker Nizam Hazari, along with Abidul Islam Abid and Sohel masterminded the murder.

According to the suspects' confession, Abid, a cousin of Nizam, shot Ekramul twice from close range, while Sohel asked some of the attackers to set Ekramul's car ablaze to confirm his death.

On October 9, 2014, Rab detained Sohel in connection with the killing of Ekramul and handed him over to police.

Sohel was released from jail on bail around one and a half months ago, said Feni Sadar Police Station OC.

In another incident, an alleged robber, Idris Ali, 32, was killed in a "gunfight with police in Rangpur's Mithapukur upazila early yesterday, reports our Dinajpur correspondent.

Idris, of Mominpur village of the upazila, was accused in nine cases of robbery and snatching filed with Mithapukur Police Station, said Mozammel Haq, officer-in-charge of the police station.

Police arrested Idris on Sunday evening while he was preparing for committing a robbery, the police official said. 

Gleaning information from Idris, police along with him went to recover firearms. When their vehicle reached near Joyrampur village around 3:00am, cohorts of Idris opened fire and snatched Idris, the OC said.

Police then fired back, triggering the "gunfight". After the gun battle, police found the body of Idris lying on the ground, while his aides managed to flee, the police official added.

Police also claimed to have recovered a pistol, two bullets and several sharp weapons from the spot.