Pabna: Sramik League and Sramik Dal Leaders Shot Dead over Market Lease Dispute

Two men have been shot dead in Pabna in a dispute over the lease of a market (haat). The political identities of the dead have emerged: local leaders say one was a leader of the Sramik Dal and the other of the Sramik League, whose activities are banned.

The killings took place on Thursday (29 October) at around 7 pm at Pushpapara Bazar in Ataikula Thana of Pabna Sadar upazila. Pabna superintendent of police Abu Ashraf confirmed the incident.

The dead are Abdus Salam Haji (55), lessee of Pushpapara Haat and convenor of the Pabna Sadar upazila Sramik League, and Ripon Hossain (50), president of the Ataikula Union Sramik Dal. Both were from Dharmagram in the Ataikula Thana area.

Police and local sources say a dispute had been running between two groups over the lease of Pushpapara Haat. The current lessee, Abdus Salam Haji, and Ripon were sitting with their associates in their office room at the market when several men from the rival group arrived wearing masks, shot them and fled. Local people rescued the injured and rushed them to Pabna General Hospital, where doctors declared Salam Haji and Ripon dead.

Pabna superintendent of police Abu Ashraf said: “According to our preliminary information so far, there was a dispute between two sides over the haat lease. Men from the rival side shot them over that dispute. Two people have died of bullet wounds.” He added: “We are investigating further. An operation is under way to find those involved in the killings. The bodies have been kept at the Pabna General Hospital morgue for autopsy.”

Rafiqul Islam Mona, convenor of Ataikula Union BNP, said the deceased Ripon Hossain had been president of the Ataikula Union Sramik Dal.

Anisul Haque Babu, joint convenor of Pabna district BNP, said: “The deceased Ripon was a dedicated worker for the party. He was president of the Ataikula Union Sramik Dal. We are deeply saddened and shocked by his death. We have not yet been able to confirm who was involved in this killing. We hope the culprits will be found very soon and brought to justice through the law. We will do whatever the party needs to do.”

Pradip Kumar, general secretary of Pabna district Sramik League, said Salam Haji had been convenor of the Pabna Sadar upazila Sramik League. After 5 August 2024 he posted photographs with leaders of various political parties on social media, but he did not resign from his post.