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KCC councillor gunned down

Stance against canal encroachment might be behind the killing

Staff Correspondent, Khulna
Unidentified criminals shot dead Shahid Iqbal Bithar, ward councillor of Khulna City Corporation and presidium member of Jubo League, near his residence at Musalmanpara in Khulna early yesterday.
Sources said Shahid's tough stance against canal encroachers or intra-party conflict could be the motives behind the murder.
He was the convener of the 19-member committee formed by the
KCC to conduct eviction drives against encroachers of 22 canals in Khulna city and its suburbs. Shahid reportedly received threats after the eviction drive was launched on July 2.
Witnesses told the police that two persons riding a motorbike fired two shots at Shahid, 48, while he was returning home on a motorcycle with his relative Mantu Shikder at around 12:45am. Mantu escaped unharmed.
The criminals fled the scene immediately. Shahid, a director of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital where the on-duty doctors declared him dead at about 1:50am.
KMC Principal KP Sarker said he succumbed to his wounds at the operating theatre.
KCC Mayor Abdul Khaleque condemned the murder and said Shahid was dedicated to ongoing eviction drives against the encroachers some of whom belong to the ruling party, BNP and also the administration.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hclaluddin Badri said nothing could be said for certain until the probe into the incident is completed.
Drives are being conducted to arrest the killers who were two or three in num ber, he added.
The officer-in-charge of Khulna Police Station said no case was filed in connection with the murder.
Shahid's namaz-c-janaza was held at 4:00pm on Nagar Bhaban compound. Later, his body was taken to the party office where hundreds of party leaders and activists paid homage to the slain Jubo League leader.
Leaders and activists of Khulna district and city Awami League brought out a procession at about 11:30am demanding arrest ofthe murderers.
Joint forces arrested Shahid last year on charge of extortion. Later, he was released on bail.
Meanwhile, Khulna district and city AL announced a nine-day programme to mourn his death.
The programme include hoisting black flags at all party offices in the district, a protest rally at Shahid Hadis Park, protest processions, doa mehfil and human chain at Picture Palace Cinema intersection in the city.
Separate memorandums will be handed over to the Khulna deputy commissioner and the KMP commissioner on July 19. A protest rally will also be held at 12:00noon on July 20, said a press release.
It also said the second namez-e-janaja of the slain leader will be held after Asar prayers tomorrow at Darul Ulum Madrasa in the city.