UNB, Kushtia :
A regional leader of the outlawed Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) was killed in a gunfight with police at Bhanga Battala in Mirpur upazila early Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Enamul, a regional commander of Janajuddho (ML-Lal Pataka), a faction of the PBCP and son of Rabiul Islam, a resident of Ahsannagar village of the same upazila. Kazi Jalal Uddin Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Mirpur Police Station, said Enamul and his associates had long been demanding a large sum of money as illegal toll from Shahidul Islam, owner of a brick field in the area.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Detective Branch (DB) of police and Mirpur Police Station launched a drive in the area at about 3:15 am to arrest them when the gang came to the area to take the toll money from Shahidul.
Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, Enamul and his cohorts attacked the policemen in a bid to protect them, triggering a fierce clash.
At least 30-35 rounds of gunshot were exchanged between the law enforcers and them, leaving Enamul injured with bullets. Critically injured Enamul was rushed to Mirpur health complex where the duty doctors declared him dead. However, his accomplices managed to flee the scene.
The police also recovered one shutter gun, three rounds of bullet, five bullet shells and one machete from the spot. Enamul was accused in 24 cases, including seven for murder, said the OC Kazi Jalal Uddin.
