Trader shot dead at Keraniganj

Policemen stand guard at Jinzira of Keraniganj on the outskirts of the city as CI-sheet traders shut down their shops yesterday protesting the killing of a fellow trader by criminals. PHOTO: STAR

Locals said two criminals spread bullets on Bachchu Mia, 63, a tin trader, in front of his wholesale shop at Jinjira at around 7:30am.

"Hearing two gunshots I ran to the shop and found two youths running away while Bachchu was groaning on the ground with blood oozing from his chest," victim's brother Haji Siraj told the reporters.

He was rushed to Mitford hospital where the doctors declared him dead.

Hospital sources said he received one bullet in his chest.

Victim's relatives alleged that some unknown criminals had been demanding tolls from Bachchu who had also a longstanding land dispute with one of his relatives at Aganagar area.

Keraniganj police said they are investigating the matter giving focus on both extortion and land dispute.

Businessmen of Jinjira Bazar kept shutters of their shops down protesting the killing of Bachchu and demanded arrest and trial of the killers.

The local people also took out a procession.

Meanwhile, a mason and a caretaker of two under-construction buildings at Pallabi were shot and wounded yesterday by some criminals in separate incidents as the owners refused to pay them tolls.

Tohidur Rahman, mason, and Enamul Haq, caretaker, were admitted to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital with bullet wounds in their legs.