Victim’s family says thugs used police’s firearms in shooting

Alauddin Alo

The family of the youth who died in gunfight between supporters of two councillor candidates alleged that the miscreants used police's firearms to shoot the victim.

Alauddin Alo (28), a construction worker, died in a clash between supporters of Awami League-backed candidate Wasim Uddin Chowdhury and opposing candidate Mahmudur Rahman yesterday morning.

Jahanara Begum, elder sister of Alauddin told The Daily Star that her brother suffered this tragic fate just after stepping out of home for work at 8.30 am in the morning.

She said her brother was not involved in any politics. He had a family dependent on him.

"The clash originated in the morning not far from our home. When my brother reached 'Ershader Dokan' area, the thugs, accompanied by police, opened fire on my brother," she said.

 "The thugs took the firearms from force members of Khulsi police station and shot my brother," said Jahanara.

Alo's mother had a heart attack upon learning about her son's death.

The police who were discharging election duty were siding with Awami League supported candidate Wasim Uddin Chowdhury, claimed Jahanara.

As they [Jahanara and family] were supporters of former councillor Mohammad Hossen Hiron, police were hostile towards them since the beginning of the election, she said.

"My brother's family has been ripped apart by this killing. His wife and one-year-old child have no one to provide for them now," Jahanara said.

During a visit to the victim's home along railway line at Ambagan area of Pahartholi yesterday afternoon, this correspondent saw huge presence of riot police, police, Rab and BGB members patrolling the area amid prevailing tension over the two camps' face-off.

Locals are in fear of further violence after the death of Alo.

Sahinul Islam, officer-in-charge of Khulsi police station denied the allegation of police aiding the AL-backed councillor's supporters.

"This is completely a baseless claim," he said.

But Mahmudur Rahman, opposition candidate of the ward told The Daily Star that the dead body was still with the morgue.

Though Alo died in the morning, police did not release his body till Wednesday evening.  No case was taken regarding the murder.

"Everyone saw how outsiders took control of the polling station, how they brandished fire," Mahmudur said.

Meanwhile, another youth was stabbed dead by his younger brother at Soraipara ward of the port city. Though two brothers belonged to two rival camps of councillors, police claimed the death did not have anything to do with election.

Faruk ul Alam, deputy commissioner of West Division of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said Munna was stabbed dead by his brother Kamrul Islam near Baro Quarter area. The motive behind the killing was a longstanding personal dispute.

"It is not a polls-related incident though many are saying so. We have investigated it," Faruk said.

The incident happened at an alley which is far from any polling station, added police sources.