An activist of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal was killed in a factional clash during a procession marking the 39th founding anniversary of the pro-BNP student body in Sylhet city yesterday. 

The victim, Abul Hasnat Shimu, 25, was a former assistant organising secretary of JCD Sylhet Metropolitan unit.

Shimu, son of Abdul Aziz of Shahi Eidgah area in the city, was a supporter of Kazi Meraj, who is a former president of JCD Madan Mohan College unit.

Police said around 3:00pm, the men of Meraj group were locked in an altercation with those of Nabil Ahmed, another former assistant organising secretary of JCD Sylhet Metropolitan unit, in Court Point area over who would speak first at a rally.

At one stage, the two groups attacked each other with sticks and sharp weapons, injuring Shimu and eight others of both the groups. The injured were taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital where Shimu died later.

Wahab Miah, deputy commissioner (media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said additional law enforcers had been deployed in the city to avoid any further untoward incidents.