Two Shot in Separate Incidents in Noakhali: Chairman Candidate Fired On at Tea Stall, Young Man Wounded by His Own Group's Gun in Begumganj

Two men were shot in two separate incidents in Noakhali's Sonaimuri and Begumganj upazilas. Both incidents took place on Saturday night (24 October), and both wounded men were admitted to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital.

The hospital's Resident Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Rajib Ahmed Chowdhury, said two men with gunshot wounds were brought in from Sonaimuri and Begumganj on Saturday night. They bear bullet marks at different places on their bodies. They are under treatment and are now out of danger, the doctor said.

The first incident took place in Sonaimuri. Police sources said Jamal Uddin (60) was sitting and talking at a tea stall at Bottali in Ghoshkamta village, Ward No. 1 of Nateshwar Union, at around 11:30 pm on Saturday.

At that moment several young men wearing black clothes and helmets arrived and opened fire on him. Bullets struck his left leg and thigh. The attackers then left the scene, according to police sources.

The wounded Jamal Uddin is the son of the late Sakhayet Ullah of Mizi Bari in the same village. He once lived abroad. He is now putting up posters in the area as a prospective chairman candidate for Nateshwar Union Parishad. Several of his sons live abroad.

Sonaimuri police station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Kabir Hossain said police visited the scene after receiving the news. The elderly man was sitting in a shop when two people suddenly came and shot at him, he said. Why he was shot is not yet known. The matter will be investigated and necessary action taken, he added.

The second incident took place the same night in Begumganj. Local sources said Kamrul Hasan (24), out on bail in a case, was wounded by a bullet from his own group's weapon while trying to attack local residents. The incident took place in front of Patwari Bari in Bara Newajpur village, Ward No. 5 of Alaiyapur Union. Kamrul is the son of Md Yusuf of that house.

Local people allege that a juvenile gang led by Kamrul Hasan has long been involved in theft, robbery, mugging and extortion in the area. Cases against Kamrul and several members of his group are pending at the police station and in court over those incidents. They also allege that after coming out of jail on bail recently, Kamrul had been threatening local people.

According to local accounts, on Saturday night a group led by Kamrul tried to open fire on Nur Alam, the complainant in a case. Local people chased them, and they tried to flee leaving a motorcycle behind. Kamrul was then wounded by a bullet from the weapon they were carrying, local people claim.

Police went to the scene and recovered a motorcycle. Local people allege the incident was first publicised as an attack on the group itself. They claim police investigation brought out the real story.

Tension prevails in the area after the incident. Local people allege members of the group possess sophisticated weapons and face several cases including murder. Residents say they live in fear of them. In this situation they have sought the intervention of the higher authorities of the administration.

Inspector (Investigation) Mahbul Kabir, acting as Officer-in-Charge of Begumganj Model Police Station, said police visited the scene and recovered a motorcycle. The matter is under investigation. Police said legal action will be taken against those involved once investigations into both incidents are complete.