BNP leader Abu Saleh Ahmed killed in attack over mosque committee dispute in Sherpur's Jhenaigati
A BNP leader named Abu Saleh Ahmed (60) has died from opponents' blows in a clash over the formation of a mosque committee in Jhenaigati, Sherpur. The incident took place on Friday (6 November) afternoon in Bharua village of Nalkura union in the upazila.
Union BNP organising secretary Suja Uddin confirmed the matter.
The deceased Abu Saleh Ahmed was the son of the late Abdur Rahman of Bharua village. He was a former general secretary of Ward No. 9 BNP of Nalkura union.
Local sources said Saleh Ahmed was elected president of Bharua Bazar Jame Mosque about 20 days ago. But Abdul Matin, son of Saber Ali Talukdar of the same village, and his associates objected to his election as president.
On Friday, before Juma prayers, when people from Matin's side raised objections over the matter, an argument began between the two sides. At one stage, the two sides became involved in a fight.
Local sources said Saleh Ahmed fell to the ground when people from Matin's side attacked him.
Worshippers later rescued him and took him to Jhenaigati Upazila Health Complex, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.
On receiving the news, Jhenaigati Thana police went to the scene and recovered the body. The body was later sent to the morgue of Sherpur District Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.
The accused in the incident, Abdul Matin, went into hiding after the incident. Attempts were made to get statements from his associates, but they could not be found.
The deceased Saleh Ahmed's younger brother Joynal told the media: "My brother was a simple man. He moved with everyone; he had no quarrel with anyone. About 95 percent of the people in our area supported him and elected him president of our mosque. Today they attacked and killed my brother. We want proper justice for this."
Jhenaigati Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) SM Nur Mohammad said: "On receiving the news, police recovered the body and sent it to the morgue of Sherpur District Sadar Hospital for an autopsy. Preparations for a case in this incident are under way."
