Political Violence Escalates in Bangladesh with Shooting of Senior Leader
Shooting Incident in Khulna Raises Alarm
Dhaka, Dec 22: In a troubling incident, unidentified assailants shot Motaleb Shikder, a prominent figure linked to the violent student uprising in Bangladesh in 2004, in the head in Khulna, raising serious concerns about political unrest in the nation.
Mahmuda Mitu, the joint principal coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), confirmed the shooting in a Facebook update, stating that Shikder, who serves as the head of the Khulna Division for the NCP and is a central coordinator for the party's workers front, was attacked just moments prior.
According to Mitu, who is also a medical professional, Shikder was immediately transported to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition.
Reports from the daily Kaler Kantha indicate that Shikder sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head and was bleeding heavily upon arrival at the hospital, where emergency medical procedures were promptly initiated.
Authorities have yet to identify the shooters or determine the motive behind the attack, but a swift manhunt has been initiated. Animesh Mondal, the police chief of Khulna, informed the media that Shikder was subsequently moved to the City Imaging Centre at Khulna Medical College Hospital for further evaluation of his injuries.
This incident occurred in the Majid Sarani area of Khulna, just days after the assassination of notable youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 12.
Hadi, who was 32 years old and served as the spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, was shot by masked gunmen during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment in Singapore.
In the wake of Hadi’s death, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus declared a day of national mourning and pledged to take stringent action against those responsible, even as new outbreaks of violence were reported in Dhaka and other major cities.
Bangladesh Police have stated that they lack specific information regarding the prime suspect in Hadi’s murder, Faisal Karim Masud. Although his family members, including his parents, wife, and a female acquaintance have been detained, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
During an emergency press briefing at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Additional Inspector General of Police Khandaker Rafiqul Islam mentioned that law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively working to locate Masud. He noted, “We do not have specific information about Faisal's last location. Our forces and intelligence agencies are working to obtain it,” and added that there is no credible evidence suggesting that the suspect has left the country.