Police in Sirajganj have recovered a firearm from near Shahjadpur Mayor Halimul Hoque Miru’s house which they say was used during the Feb 2 clash, when a journalist died. The mayor, his brother Habibul Hoque Mintu are arrested in a murder case filed by the victim’s family and were produced before a Sirajganj court on Tuesday. Police said the locally-made gun was recovered on Tuesday from a ditch near the mayor’s house on information gleaned from Mintu.
“Mintu said, he used the gun during the clash,” Inspector Monirul Islam said. On Feb 3, Mayor Miru’s brothers Mintu and Pintu allegedly assaulted and seriously injured Shahjadpur Government College Chhatra League President Bijoy Mahmud. Chhatra League activists surrounded Miru’s house in protest. Media reports said the mayor and his supporters used two shotguns during the encounter.
Bangla national ‘The Daily Samakal’ Shahjadpur Correspondent Abdul Hakim Shimul was shot while covering the clash.
He succumbed to the injuries a day later. Shimul’s wife, Nurunnahar Begum, filed a murder case against Miru and 17 others. Bijoy’s uncle Ershad Ali also filed a case over the assault of his nephew. Police have so far arrested 13 persons in connection with the incidents. Inspector Monir, the investigating officer of the case, said they have gleaned ‘significant information’ while quizzing the mayor and his brother in custody.
