Bangladesh Chhatra League activist Arzu Mia, who was held yesterday after allegedly beating a teenage boy to death in Dhaka, was killed early today in what law enforcers termed "gunfight".
The alleged gunfight took place when Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) took him to catch others involved in the killing of the 16-year-old boy, Rab official ASP Ferdawsi Rahman said.
"His cohorts opened gunfire on Rab," she said. "After the gunfight ended, Arzu was found lying there injured. He was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital."
Later, Arzu succumbed to his injuries at the hospital around 5:30am.
Arzu Mia, 28, was the president of Hazaribagh unit Bangladesh Chhatra League, student front of ruling Awami League, Hazaribagh police and the deceased's sister Rehana Begum said.
He was held yesterday after allegedly beating dead a 16-year-old boy Raja in Hazaribagh. Two others Monir and Sagor were also said to have been involved in the act, according to locals.
The recent child killings of Rajon in Sylhet, Rakib in Khulna and subsequently others that followed sparked a wave of outrage in the country. Protests have been held demanding justice.