JCD man killed in 'shootout'

A youth was killed in an alleged gunfight with the Rapid Action Battalion at Rupnagar in the capital early yesterday.

The elite force claimed the dead, Al Amin alias Kala Johnny, 32, was facing at least 15 charges of rape, murder, robbery and other crimes.

Amin's family, however, alleged he was aspiring for the post of the general secretary of Rupnagar unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and was accused in several "politically motivated cases."

The Rab picked him, shot him to death and cooked up the story of a gunfight, they alleged.

Talking to The Daily Star, Rab-4 Operation Officer Mahfuza Khatun said the "shootout" took place after a patrol team went to a road near Eastern Housing around 2:00am.

They had information that a group of four to five criminals had gathered there, she added.

Sensing Rab presence, the criminals opened fire on them, prompting the elite force to retaliate, said Mahfuza, also an assistant superintendent of police.

At one stage, the attackers escaped the scene leaving one of their cohorts critically injured, she added.

He was declared dead after being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The Rab claimed to have recovered one pistol and two bullets from the scene. Three Rab members received minor injuries and took primary treatment.

Victim's brother-in-law Selim Reza said a group of people identifying themselves as Rab men picked Johnny from his house on December 27.

Family members went to Rupnagar police to file a general diary the next day but were denied, he added.

Selim alleged Johnny was killed for his political affiliation with BNP and the story of gunfight was false and fabricated.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 146 people were killed in such "crossfire" or "gunfights" with different forces last year.