Alleged drug dealer killed in 'shootout'

A suspected drug dealer was killed in a “shootout” with law enforcers in Mymensingh town early yesterday.

His family members, however, claimed that he was picked up by some plainclothes men on Friday.

They also said that they lodged a missing complaint with a police station the next day and that he was never involved in drug business.

Police, however, rejected the allegations.

The deceased, Sharif Ahmed, 32, was a resident of Krishtapur.

Shah Kamal Akanda, officer-in-charge of Detective Branch of police in Mymensingh, said on information that a group of drug dealers were “conducting business” in Kalibari area, a DB team, led by him, went there around 1:00am.

Sensing their presence, the group, around five in number, opened fire and when they retaliated, Sharif received bullet wounds.

He was declared dead at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, and the body was sent for autopsy at the college morgue, he added.

The OC said they also recovered 100 yaba pills and 5kg cannabis from the spot. “Sharif was accused in seven drug-related cases filed with Kotwali Police Station,” the OC added.

Two DB constables -- Shamim Hossain and Selim Miah -- were injured during the incident. They were treated at Mymensingh Police Lines Hospital.

A case was filed with Kotwali Police Station.

FAMILY'S VERSION

Sharif's mother Shirin Akhter said Sharif went out with some friends after Juma prayers on Friday afternoon.

“We had lunch together… I didn't know it would be for the last time…,” she wailed. The 55-year-old mother regained her composure and added, “My son was never involved in drug business.”

“In the evening, locals informed that some people in plainclothes picked him up in a black microbus in front of Palika Shopping Centre in Station Road area,” she said.

Sharmin Akhter, his elder sister, said they went to Kotwali Police Station and DB office right away to find his whereabouts.

“We went there multiple times on Friday night and Saturday. My mother filed a missing persons complaint with Kotwali Police Station on Saturday noon,” she added.

“In the morning [yesterday], a relative informed us that a youth was killed in so-called gunfight with police,” she said. “We went to the morgue and found out that it was Sharif.”

Shirin said Sharif had a wife and two underage daughters. “Their future is uncertain now,” she said.

Sharif used to co-run a dry goods business with his elder brother. He was never involved in drug business, said family members, adding that he used to take cannabis occasionally.

They demanded proper investigation into the killing.

When asked, OC Shah Kamal Akanda of the Detective Branch denied any incident of Sharif being “picked up”. He also said no such missing complaint was filed. OC Mahmudul Islam of Kotwali Police Station echoed him.