Locals protest college student's death in Rab 'gunfight'

Locals in Barishal's Agailjhara upazila formed a human chain today, protesting what they called the extrajudicial killing of Siam Molla, a college student who was shot dead during an anti-drug operation by Rab in Barishal on Monday.

The protest was held at the Saheberhat Secondary School grounds, where speakers claimed Siam was not involved in drugs and demanded justice.

"Siam was not a drug dealer. He was killed unjustly," said Mim Begum, a speaker at the protest. "He and his friends were chatting at a local tea stall. When they rushed to the scene after hearing screams, they were caught in the line of fire."

Another speaker, Nusrat Begum, said, "Siam had no links to drugs. He was a college student. We demand a fair investigation and punishment for those responsible for this extrajudicial killing."

An autopsy conducted this afternoon at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital confirmed that Siam sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his chest.

"There was a single injury on the right side of the victim's chest, which has been identified by the medical officer as a gunshot wound," said Sub-Inspector Mojibur Rahman of Agailjhara Police Station. He, however, declined to share the inquest report without permission from higher authorities.

On April 21, Rab-8 Deputy Commander Major Mahmudul Ahsan confirmed an anti-drug operation and the subsequent gunfight, and said the force came under attack during the raid.

"One suspect was killed and another injured during the gunfight. We are still conducting an operation in the area and cannot provide further details," he said.

Rab yesterday filed two cases over Monday's "gunfight".

Rab-8 Senior Warrant Officer Sheikh Riazul Islam filed the cases with Agailjhara Police Station in the afternoon, said Officer-in-Charge Oliul Islam.

Each case names two individuals and accuses 12 unidentified others. The deceased Siam and the injured Rakib are the named accused, the OC added.

One case accuses them of obstructing government duties, attacking law enforcers, and initiating the gunfight. The other case was filed for possessing drugs.