Protest and Highway Blockade in Magura over Killing of Jubo Dal Leader Shaker
Leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations have held a human chain and protest march in Magura demanding the arrest of those involved in the shooting death of municipal Jubo Dal leader Shaker Hossain. They held the programme in front of the Magura Press Club at around 11am on Saturday (24 October).
Meanwhile, at around 12:30pm, motor workers set fires and blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway. Traffic remained halted for about an hour and a half because of the blockade, causing severe suffering for long-distance passengers and ordinary people.
Leaders and activists of the BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal took part in the protest programme. From the human chain, they demanded the swift arrest of everyone involved in the killing.
The speakers said the shooting of a political leader in public was extremely alarming. Such a killing has also raised questions about the safety of ordinary people. They warned that a tougher movement would be announced if everyone involved in the murder was not brought under the law quickly.
Separately, members of the motor workers' union demonstrated demanding the arrest of Shaker Hossain's killers. Tension built up in the area around the highway blockade programme.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Nishat Al Nahian later arrived at the scene. He spoke with the demonstrators and assured them that those involved in the killing would be identified quickly and brought under the law. Following his assurance, the protesters withdrew the blockade, and traffic on the Dhaka-Khulna highway returned to normal.
In the early hours of Wednesday (21 October), Shaker Hossain, senior joint convener of the Magura municipal Jubo Dal, was shot dead by assailants while on duty at the Royal Express Paribahan counter at the Magura central bus terminal. His killing at his workplace sparked a strong reaction in the area.
The victim's wife, Sharmin Nahar Ruma, filed a murder case with Magura Sadar Police Station against unnamed persons. The case filed by the family is now the main basis for seeking justice.
After the case was filed, police arrested two people on suspicion of involvement in the killing. The arrestees are Roni Shikdar, a member of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo Dal committee, and Shamima Tabassum Lubna, daughter of Lutfar Rahman of Bajruk Srikundi area in Magura Sadar upazila.
On Thursday (22 October), they were produced before a court, and the judge ordered them sent to jail. Police are investigating whether anyone else was involved.
After Saturday's human chain and blockade, the demand in Magura is now singular — identify everyone behind the killing and bring them swiftly to justice. The victim's family, party activists and local residents are watching to see how quickly the police assurance turns into real progress.
