‘Drug peddler’ killed in ‘gunfight'

An alleged drug peddler was killed in a “gunfight” with police in Bhairab municipality of Kishoreganj early yesterday.

The victim is Helim Mia, 45, of the municipality's Panchabati area.

With this, at least 139 suspected drug peddlers were killed in the last 23 days during the anti-narcotics drive across the country. Most of them were killed in so-called “shootouts” involving law enforcers.

About the “shootout” in Kishoreganj, Mukhlesur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Bhairab Police Station, said the “gunfight” happened when a police team raided Gachhtolagachh area around 2:10am on information that some drug peddlers were selling drugs there.

Sensing presence of police, the drug peddlers opened fire. The law enforcers then retaliated, triggering the “gunfight”. Helim was hit by bullets, while others fled.

Helim was rushed to Bhairab Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, the OC told our Mymensingh correspondent. 

Police also claimed to have recovered a foreign pistol, three bullets, 510 yaba tablets and 24 bottles of Phensedyle from the spot.

Helim stood accused in 10 narcotics cases, the police officer said.

Four policemen were hurt in the incident and took treatment at the health complex, the OC added.

Helim's body was sent to Kishoreganj General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Police filed a case in this connection.

The Daily Star could not contact Helim's family.

Meanwhile, rights body Ain o Salish Kendra once again expressed concern over the deaths in the so-called “shootouts” involving law enforcers and demanded formation of a judicial probe commission to investigate the extrajudicial killings. 

In a press statement yesterday, it also condemned the law enforcers' attack on Wednesday's “peaceful programmes” of Gonojagoron Mancha and Bangladesh Chhatra Union at Shahbagh.