‘Shibir man’ dies in clash with Noakhali cops

An alleged activist of Islami Chhatra Shibir died and one other was shot during clash with police in Noakhali Sadar upazila this afternoon.

The incident took place after the Supreme Court upheld death penalty for Jamaat-e-Islami leader and convicted war criminal Mohammad Kamaruzzaman.

The deceased was Omar Farooq, 22, son of Nurul Alam from Sadar upazila and a first year student at Noakhali government college, our local correspondent reports. One other, Rakib, 20, son of Abu Taher from the locality was shot during the incident.

Shibir activists brought out a procession protesting the apex court’s ruling near Maijdee Court at 11:30am, witnesses said. A clash pursued when police intercepted.

“Ten to 15 Shibir men brought out a procession and tried to engage in vandalism,” Anowar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sudharam Model Police Station, said.

“They opened gunfire on the law enforcers. The police were compelled to fire back,” he said. “After the clash subsided, three were arrested. Two of them were shot.”

On-duty doctor at Noakhali’s Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College Hospital declared Farooq dead after arrival. Rakib was being treated in custody.

Rakib claimed he was en route to pay electricity bill in a local Krishi Bank branch when he fell in crosswinds in the clash.

Procedures were underway to lodge a case in this regard.